SECRET CONFERENCE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 2 March 1929, Page 5

SECRET CONFERENCE.

FRAN CO-BEL GIAN GENERALS

ALLEGED MINUTES PUBLISHED

(United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) AMSTERDAM, March 1. The “Utrecbtsche Dagblad” evening edition publishes what purports to be the complete minutes of the conference between the French and Belgian general staffs from September 7 to September 12 last year, occupying a page, in the original French and headed “strictly confidential.” Some of the participants are given as Generals Debeny (chief of the general staff), Bineau (deputy chief), Elasier (attache to the Brussels Embassy), all for France ; Generals Gallet (chief of the general staff). Michem (chief of the third) section), Van Den Bergen (chief of the first section), for Belgium. Colonel Estienne, commanding the Grenadiers’ at Brussels, was secretary.

The first five articles given in the minutes are as already published regarding the mobilisation of troops. The other articles are secret.

General Michem is alleged) to have envisaged the aid of British troops, which suggestion General Debeny proposed to include in the draft report to tli® King of the Belgians. ■ The documents include a table of Belgian mobilisation centres, and bear the sigantures of Debeny and Gallet and the endorsement: “Seen and approved, Ministry of National Defence, Chevalier de Brocqueville; certified. 1 as agreed, Michem.”

“A COMPLETE FORGERY.” BELGIAN OFFICIALS’ DECLARATION. Received 10.15 a.m. to-dav. BRUSSELS, March 1. Official circles declare that the “Utrecht Dagblad” “revelations” are a complete forgery. The Prime Minister (M. Jaspnr), sneaking last nightsaid that. his heart was rent by the drivelling, insulting campaign carried on in an effort to dishonour Belgium., which wasi a. thing they would never permit. The editor of the “Utrecht Gagblad,” in the course of an interview, stated that the war pact documents’, which have been the subject of so much comment this week, are minutes of a meeting of military experts held at Brussels, written on Belgian State notepaper, signed by those present, and sealed by Belgian departmental seals.