BELGIUM’S RELEASE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 123, 26 April 1937, Page 7

BELGIUM’S RELEASE

FROM TREATY OBLIGATIONS. 'TO BRITAIN AND FRANCE. DECLARATION ANNOUNCED. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received April 25, II a.m. RUGBY, April 24. A joint declaration tlio chief effect of which is to relieve Belgium from her obligations towards Britain and Trance resulting from the Treaty oi Locarno and the arrangements drawn U P in London in March, 193(1, was communicated by the British and French Ambassadors to the Belgian Foreign Minister at Brussels. 'The text is as follows; — “Tlie Governments of the United Kingdom ol Britain and Northern Irelanu, and the French Republic, have not lulled uuring the last lew months to give their luu attention to the desire ol the Belgian Government to have the international rights and obligations ot Belgium clarified in certain respects wuere tins is rendered necessary by her geographical position and by the delays which may. still occur bolero the negotiations and conclusion of the general act intended to replace the Treaty of Locarno. The Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the Republic, being anxious to give full expression to tueir sympathy with this desire ot the Belgian Government, have agreed to make the following declaration, namely : ‘"The said Governments had taken note of the views which the Belgian Government has itself expressed concerning the interests ol Belgium, and more particularly, firstly, the determination expressed publicly and on more than one occasion by the Belgian Government: (a) To defend the frontiers of Belgium with all its forces against any aggression or invasion, and to prevent Belgian territory from being used for purposes of aggression against another State as a passage or base of operations by land, by sea, or in the air; (b), to organise the defence of Belgium i.n an efficient manner for this purpose. Secondly, the renewed assurances of the fidelity of Belgium to the Covenant of the League of Nations and to the obligations which it involves for members of the League. In consequence, taking into account the determination and the assurances, the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the Republic declare they consider Belgium to be now released from all obligations towards them resulting from either the Treaty of Locarno or the arrangements drawn up in London on March 19, 193(1, and that they will maintain in respect of Belgium the undertaking of the assistance which they entered into towards her under the above-mention-ed instruments. “The Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the Republic agree that the release of Belgium from her obligations in no way affects the existing undertakings between the United Kingdom and France.” The following is a translation of the communication from the Belgian Foreign Minister to His Majesty’s Ambassador at Brussels: “The Royal Government have taken note with great satisfaction of the declaration communicated to it by the Government of the United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland. It thanks tlie Government warmly for this communication.” A similar communication was addressed to the French Ambassador at Brussels. The Foreign Secretary (air R. A. Eden) will fly to Brussels to-morrow. During his official visit he will be received by King Leopold and will meet leading Belgian statesmen. It is anticipated that the informal conversations that will take place during the visit will include a discussion on tlie nature of the negotiations for the projected Western Pact, particularly in relation to their hearing on the international status of Belgium.