BELGIUM’S MOVE

Grey River Argus, 19 October 1936, Page 5

BELGIUM’S MOVE

French Apprehension (Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON. October 16. AL Yoos Dalbos, the French Foreign Minister, after a long conference with high officials in France to day, has decided to send a Note to Belgium seeking the following intormation— What, value Belgium attaches to the Locarno Paet? What is Belgium’s view regarding the proposed Locarno talks? What is Belgium’s position under the League Covenant, and What is the future of the military agreement between France and Belgium, including the staff organisations? The Paris correspondent of “Th? Times” says expert opinion is disturbed about the possible military consequences of the Belgian move. It is felt that serious dangers . may develop for Britain and France, espee - ally from the air. through the possible loss of protection from the Belgian system of watchers for hostile .aircraft, as only forty minutes’ warning is expected in Paris and London before fast enemy bombers arrive. Also possible loss of right to fly over. Belgium, and use Belgian aerodromes, while Germany could use bases in the North Sea- to operate .against Britain and France. This situation would be especially serious. as Belgium'., intent on neutrality might refuse to make German flying over her territory a. casus belli. The “Morning Post” says Most people will, agree that in her new situation, Belgium consulted her own best interests by taking this line, for she is a small Power, who has no direct concern in the rivalries and antipathies of the great- From the point of view of France in particular, Belgium is no less useful guarding her flank as a neutral, than .assisting her as an ally, provided, .always that Belgium is strong- enough to preserve her neutrality.

The “Daily Telegraph" referring to King Leopold’s speech says: Whatever her desire may be. Belgium can never rest her security wholly upon her own strength. Her friends will have no cause for reproach if the purpose of the King is simply to rally all parties in Belg’um to the need for greater sacrifice to avert the possibility of encroachment upon the integrity of Belgium. The “Manchester Guardian” says: The proposed Belgian neutrality will not necessarily prevent a new Western pact, for the other four Powers might agree to guarantee her neutrality without asking for reciprocal guarantees, >as was the case before 1914. It would, however, prevent the suggested Pact between France, Britain and Belgium from coming into force if the negotiations fail. As the result of the interview between Mr Eden and the Belgian Ambassador, it is now appreciated in official circles in London that the King of the Belgians’ speech is to be regarded as an indication of the policy Belgium is likely to follow in the Five iPowe r discussions, and that interpretations current in some quarters to the effect that Belgium intended to repudiate her obligations, particularly those arising out of the League Covenant, were based on misapprehension. Tho “News-Chronicle” questions the practicability of the policy which envisages (Belgium being entirely neutral. The only hope real peace for a country like Belgium, above all others, lies in" the firm establishment of a system of collective security.

Armament Race GIVEN A FRESH PUSH. LONDON, October 17. The repercussions of Belgium’s action are being widely discussed. It is reported that France has decided to extend the Marinot Line of defences along the Belgian frontier to the North Sea. The “Observer” says: It is believed that Germany is accelerating her aerial expansion with a first-line strength of 2200 planes. She is aiming at parity with Russia. This will necessitate Britain considerably' increasing her programme in order to fulfill the idea of parity with her strongest neighbour. GERMAN SPY ON MAGINOT LINE. (Received October 18, at <.15 p.m.) METZ, October 17. Frederic Martin, of Luxemberg, has been, sentenced to ten years’ penal servitude on a charge of espionage, on the fortifications of the Maginot Line for the German General Staff. PARIS “BLACK-OUT” 469 ARRESTS. (Received October 18. at 8.5 p.m.) FARIS, October 17. Eleven persons have been arrested and charged with distributing protest pamphlets, during an air raid rehearsal on October 16th. There are 458 prosecutions for violation of a “black-out” order. Britain’s Reds and Blacks LONDON. October 16. The First Lord of the Admiralty (Sir Samuel Iloare), speaking at Hitchin. said that two bodies in the United Kingdom wish to discredit democratic government and build .up d'etatorships; namely' the Communists and the Fascists. Neither had any roots in British soil. “We shan’t ignore them. We are determined to show that the ancient democracy can govern. We are not prepared to stand aside and allow foreign-inspired minorities to assume the smybols of powers of Government. There is no justification in Britain for dictatorships” Sir Samuel Iloare said. Commenting on Britain’s foreign policy', he said: “Ever since Germany left the League, we have entered a new and dangerous chapter. Most of the world seems gone mad. “Britain is not prepared to intervene in Spain because it would mean the risk of a European war.” Austrian Jew’s Generosity TO BRITISH TREASURY. LONDON, October 17. An Aus.tro-Jewis’h merchant-shipper.

living in Manchester, Solomon Aschkenasy, publishes a l|ong announcement in London newspapers, declaring that he intetads to allocate five per cent, of all of the profits of hi-s business from February 7, 1937,. to the National Exchequer in order to help in the defence of Britain, and that a further five per eijnt. is being allocated tio chai'ity. He says; “I love this country, and would do anything in my power to hel’p it.’’

Belgian Fascists

GOVERNMENT’S OPPOSITION CAMPAIGN. (Received October 18, at 5.15 p.m.) BRUSSELS, October 17. M. Spaak, Foreign Minister, has announced that the Government is planning a big campaign against the Rexist (Fascist) Party, which the Minister declared, had no programme. Its aim was that of winning power without delay, and the establishment of the totalitarian state, under M. De Grelle’s dictatorship. He said that the country’s middle groups must organise to defend their liberties.