BELGIAN KING DISOWNED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20259, 29 May 1940, Page 7

BELGIAN KING DISOWNED

MINISTTtT REJECT? SURRENDER

RALLY BY STARTLED CABINET “WE FIGHT ON TO ULTIMATE VICTORY” . ; \ ' . * FRENCH PREMIER’S ASSURING MESSAGE “WE SHALL HOLD OUT AND CONQUER" (Elce. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. May 29, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 28. The Premier of France, M. Reynaud, in a broadcast address to-day, told the French people that a very grave event had happened. During the night the King of the Belgians laid down arms. France could no longer rely on the help of Belgium. “The Belgian Army laid down its arms by order of its King—the same King who appealed to the Allies to come to his help, the same King who last year refused staff talks with the Allies, the same King who until May 10 professed equal faith in the word of Germany as in the word of the Allies, declared M. Reynaud. “The same King, without a word oi gratitude or admiration for the Allied soldiers, has now handed over the Belgian Army to the invader. “Since 4 o’clock this morning, the French and British Armies alone have been opposing the enemy. “Our armies have been divided into two groups. The French Amy is fighting on the Somme. The other group eon- , sisted of the Belgian Army, the British Expeditionary Force and some French divisions under the command of General Blanchard. “Without consideration, without a word to the French or British soldiers, King Leopold has given up the fight. This is an event unprecedented in history. “The Belgian Government has informed me that the King took the decision against the unanimous advice of his Ministers. His decision was taken in strict contradiction to , the feeling of his country and the soldiers who have been fighting magnificently.” M. Reynaud, describing the position in the north before the Belgian capitulation, said that the group of three Allied armies was provisioned via Dunkirk. The British and French armies defended Dunkirk in the south and the west and the Belgian Army defended it in the north. Spur of Misfortune “Now the Belgian army, under the order of its King, has suddenly and unconditionally capitulated in the midst of a battle, opening the road to Dunkirk to the German divisions,” said M. Reynaud. He concluded fervently: “Misfortune has ever made France greater. On the new line which our great leader, General Weygand, in accord with Marshal Petain, has established on the Somme and the Aisne, we shall hold out and conquer.” He added that the French were holding successfully the lines on the Somme and Aisne and the Maginot Line. M. Reynaud also announced that the Belgian Government had decided to form a new army which would fight alongside the French. M. Reynaud spoke for under five minutes. He paid a tribute to the young French generals who had just succeeded their seniors, saying that already they had covered themselves with glory. The Paris correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says that the Belgian Ministers announced they had decided to disown King Leopold after his surrender. The Ministers met at the Belgian Embassy to bring charges against King Leopold and organise a provisional Government. Tire Belgian Prime Minister, M. Pierlot, broadcasting from Paris said: “King Leopold has broken the Belgian constitution. This separate treaty with Germany must be considered null and void. “Belgium is dumbfounded, but the guilt of one man cannot be imputed to the whole nation. Our army has not deserved the fate which has befallen it. “The King no longer exercises his powers. Because it is impossible for the chief of the State to function under foreign control the Belgian Government assumes his prerogatives. The Government has decided to fight to the end by the side of the Allies. A new army will be organised from the brave young Belgians who have responded to the Government’s appeal. Solidarity Affirmed “I now affirm the solidarity uniting us with the Powers who came-to our aid.” concluded M. Pierlot. “Belgians, we face the most difficult trial of our life. We fight on to ultimate victory.” The French morning communique stated that the situation in the north was more grave as a result of the unforeseen capitulation of the Belgian King. The British and French troops were facing up to the situation and were detei*mined to continue the fight. Nothing important had occurred on the remainder of the front. The French military spokesman to-day reported that Calais was still holding out, “The treasonable act of King Leopold is all the more grave because it came when the Allied armies were in a difficult but not desperate plight,” he continued. “The battle is continuing, but the situation of the Allied troops is extremely serious.” Other military sources in Paris pointed out that the Belgian Army was holding out all along the line from Menin to Ghent when King Leopold capitulated. The decision was more surprising because heavy French forces had successfully counter-attacked on the Lys River. It is officially stated in Paris that France is calling up every man, even those on the reserved list for reasons of health and other incapacity. A German communique issued from the Fuehrer’s headquarters states: “The King of the Belgians, impressed by the destructive effect of the German arms, has decided to cease further senseless resistance and has complied with the German demand to capitulate unconditionally. The Belgian army accordingly laid down its arms to-day and ceased to exist.” Informed circles in Berlin estimated that 400,000 Belgians had surrendered. v The Berlin radio stated that approximately 500.000 Belgian soldiers had surrendered. The radio announcement stated that the Fuehrer had decided to treat the Belgian King and his army with the consideration that brave men deserved. A Belgian castle was to be given to King Leopold for a temporary residence. The radio added: “King Leopold surrendered against the wishes of the majority of his Ministers, who still seem willing to follow their British and French masters.” A further German communique claims the capture of Orehies, Douai Labasee, Mirville and Hazebrouek.