BELGIUM FIGHTS FOR FREEDOM

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 9, 5 October 1940, Page 11

BELGIUM FIGHTS FOR FREEDOM

Government’s Policy EFFECTIVELY AT WAR WITH NAZIS ( British Official Wireless. .» RUGBY, October 3. Two Belgian Ministers broadcast to the Belgian people on the 8.8. C. Continental wavelength on Thursday evening. M. Giitt, the Pittance Minister, spoke in French, and M. de Vleeschouwer broadcast in Flemish.

Stating that they were speaking on the free radio from a free country. the Belgian Ministers said that M. Pierlot, the Belgian Prime Minister. speaking in France on July 21, had defined the position, hut though this definition was of the utmost importance to all Belgian people the French Government refused to allow either a broadcast or a communication to the Press. It was inevitable, tiie Ministers continued, that after four months of separation they and the Belgian people did uot think alike on all points, but there were certain principles which were embodied in the programme of the Belgian Government on which, all would agree. Giving this programme the Ministers said: — “Belgium is occupied by the German armies and Hie King is a prisoner. We arc Hie only legal Belgian Government and the only Ministers appointed by Hie King. -We want a free Belgium and a free King. We watt' them to be completely and entirely free, as before August 4, 1914, and as before May 10. 1040. To achieve this aim we will fight side by side with Britain fill lite final victory. No Peace Treaty.

"On May 10, 1910, Belgium was tinjustifiably attacked. She took up arms and appealed to Iter guarantors. Since that, date Belgium Inis not. concluded any armistice or convention. Even less lias site signed a peace treaty. Legally and effectively she is at war witli Germany,iwho is in Belgiau territory and is in fact applying war measures.”

The Ministers said they were speaking from England, where they were "welcomed as brothers, where hearts beat in unison with ours, where our soldiers are already mounting guard, and where our daring airmen have volunteered to dispute their share of the glory in the victorious battle in the skies with all the champions of freedom and liberty.” They added that they were speaking "from Hie centre of Loudon, tiie London Hint, some of you may think is a heap of ruins.” Tiie Ministers recounted how they had walked through wide thoroughfares, perhaps a little deafened by th.i noise of anti-aircraft guns, but without encountering any obstacles and witbout feeling that they ran any risk.

Describing conditions in England, they said: "It is tin atmosphere of intense industry, unflinching resolution, and reasoned confidence. The trial is severe, but it is tiie same ns 25 years ago for Britain as for Belgium. and for both countries tiie stake is the same—independence to be preserved by one and restored by Hie other.”

PROBLEM FOR NAZIS

Orders To Horses From Occupied Areas ( Brit i.~li i.illicuil U in-li-.-s., ' ( Received Oelober -I, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, October 3. The llioroiigliness with which the German occupation authorities are exploiting tile territories the German armies have overrun and impoverishing their resources, even down to carrying off their beasts of burden tor service in the Reich is brought to light by stories telegraphed to the United Slates from Berlin describing the difficulties of German farmers and soldiers in making French. Polish, Belgian and Dutch horses respond to orders in German.

The Nazi society for the prevention of cruelty to animals —an organization which is explained by a fact which received publicity in the first years of the Nazi regime, that the suffering ot Hie dumb part of creation does excite Hitler's pity—is reported to have advised drivers to spare the whip and use p,-ilienee.

YOUTHS CALLED UP

Industrial Conscription In Russia MOSCOW, October 3. A decree calls up youths throughout Russia between the age of 14 and 17. The.v are to serve in the State labour reserve and will be mobilized for four years to work in mines and factories. Their miliary service will be suspended during the period of industrial conscription. The decree points out that the measure is necessary to increase Russia’s productive capacity.