BELGIUM’S INDEPENDENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 April 1937, Page 7

BELGIUM’S INDEPENDENCE

GERMAN OFFER TO UPHOLD

AT ANGLO-FRENCH EXPENSE

[BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

LONDON, April 27. ' The attempt by Germany to neutralise Belgium permanently, thereby • paralysing Franco-British intervention on the western front in tliei event of 'trouble in the cast, formed the background of yesterday’s conversations I between the British Foreign Secretary (Mr Eden), and the Belgian Ministers (M. van Zeeland and M. Spaak), says the Brussels correspondent of the “Morning Post.” I The. German Government, it is understood, will gtuairante Belgian independence- only if Belgium deI League of Nations Covenant, and nounces her obligations under the ! gives assurances that she will not allow under any circumstances the passage of foreign troops, across her , territory. * The correspondent adds that there is no doubt that Germany is employing all her resources to wean Belgium from Franco-British influence. . The chief result of Mr Eden’s conversations is to. show , how far she has not succeeded.- ■

SEEKING NEW PACT.

(Received April 28, 11 a.m.) BRUSSELS, April 27.

After an interview between Mr. Eden and Premier Van Zeeland, A*. M. Spaak issued a communique stating the discussions centred chiefly on strengthening peace in Europe, and the elaboration of a new pact of security for Western Europe.

CORDIAL ATMOSPHERE

[BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.]

RUGBY, April 27.

The Foreign Secretary arrived ar Croydon by air from Brussels this evening. A communique issued at the Conclusion of the conversations, states. The conversations which consistei purely of an exchange of views, and had not the character of negotiations, were carried on in an atmosphere of complete cordiality. They afforded the opportunity to make clear how close was the conformity between the points of view of the two Governments.

LLOYD GEORGE CRITICAL.

LONDON, April 27.

In a speech at Stalybridge on behalf of the Council of Action in support of ah Ecclesiastical-Socialist candidate, Mr Lloyd George complained 1 that though Britain held the key position in world affairs, heir policy was' ineffective, irresolute, hesitating and wobbling. , “We did not accept Germany s offer of definite and clear proposals;' consequently Germany is shaking h andS' with Signor Mussolini,” he said, we can make either a friend or an enemy of Germany, but we cannot leave her in doubt.”