BRAVE BURGOMASTER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 207, 2 August 1941, Page 6

BRAVE BURGOMASTER.

ARRESTED BY GERMANS. AIAX’S WORTHY SUCCESSOR. (Press Assn) WELLINGTON. Aug. 1. • A Press Association cable from London on Wednesday stated that antiGerinaii demonstrations oil a vast scale took place in Belgium on National Gay. July 21, Brussels being particularly bitter alter the arrest of the burgomaster, Dr. Yan de Aleulebroueke. Commenting on this, the tun sui-General lor Belgium in New Zealand (Al. Nihotte) slates: “The first magistrate of Brussels is a worthy successor to the late Burgomaster Alax. as is made evident by the lollowing proclamation issued by Dr. Yan de Aleulebroucke on June 30, of which I have received a copy. It read: 'AIv dear fellow citizens, the German authorities have just informed me that 1 am to cease exercising my functions. 1 cannot do otherwise than to submit to this order, although legally it constitutes a violation ol the Hague Convention, and in actual fact there is no justification for the action taken in my ease. 1 have indeed the consciousness of having loyally and efficiently fulfilled the many duties, invariably heavy and disagreeable, which fall to the lot of those in authority in towns ajid districts occupied by the enemy. It. was lyoposed to me that I should continue to exercise my functions but in such conditions as would imply my personal participation in the execution of measures which violate the law of Alay 10, 1940. To submit would have meant trampling underfoot honour and duty, and disobeying one of the fundamental laws of our country which I have sworn to obey. I refused. Contrary to what is being said, J did not quit my post, and I have not tendered my resignation. 1 am and shall always remain the only lawful burgomaster of Brussels. I shall not bid you goodbye. but an revoir. In leaving you for ijie time being. 1 ask you to bear your misfortunes and sufferings with steadfast courage and confidence that you wijl meet the challenge of fate with a strong will and proud heart. who are true sons of our race fear nothing or nobody. Best united. Our i nion will be our strength, our guarantee of a happier future. God will defend Belgium and her King.’ “This proclamation was pasted on the walls of Brussels but was twice torn down bv the Germans. Dr. Yan de Aleleubroueke is now in a concentration camp in Germany.”