King Leopold's Appeal

Northern Advocate, 11 May 1940, Page 7

King Leopold's Appeal

(Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, May 10. King Leopold, of the Belgians, has appealed to Britain and France for help against the invading troops. The German Ambassador called on the Belgian Foreign Minister (Dr. Spaak) and handed him a memorandum aimed at justifying Nazi aggression. Belgium has demanded British and French assistance in accordance with the Allied Powers’ treaty obligations, said an earlier message from Paris. It was officially stated in London that the Allies would render Belgium and Holland all the help they can. Parliament Summoned, Dr. Spaak told the German Ambassador that this was the second time since 1914 that neutral, loyal Erelgium had been invaded. This time the crime was - even greater, since no Note of protest was presented to Belgium, which learned only by the assault on itself that the Belgo-German pact had been broken. Dr. Spaak has summoned a meeting of Parliament. The Associated Press learns that British troops have taken over the British Embassy in Brussels, and British troops-have been seen in the streets. All Germans Arrested, All the Germans living in Brussels have been arrested. M. de Greile, Rexist leader, M. de Cierg, the Flemish Nationalist leader,, and two Flemish Nationalist deputies have been arrested. Worthlessness of German Promise, The Belgian wireless announces that M. Pierlot, Prime Minister, in a speech in the Belgian Parliament, said that the German Government had. solemnly declared on October 13, 1936, that “Germany will never violate the integrity of Belgium in any circumstances whatsoever.” Today events proved for the second time in 25 years what worth could be attached to German promises. France and Britain, according to their guarantee, are giving all military, naval and aerial support _ in their power. Holland, Luxemburg and Belgium were united as never before. Belgium had neglected nothing for her defence. Hopes Betrayed.

Dr. Spaak, Foreign Minister, said: “We hoped until the last minute. Last night, however, at 9 o’clock, we learned that German troops opposite the Belgian frontier had started marching. Then we understood. “At 4 this morning we learned that two Dutch aerodromes had been bombed, and a few minutes later we saw the first German bomber circling over Brussels from a window in the Foreign Office.” ; King Leopold and the" Royal Family are remaining in Belgium. Britain’s Prompt Response. It was at 6.15 a.m. that the Belgian Ambassador, acting on instructions from King Leopold, sought Viscount Halifax to appeal for the British guarantee to Belgium to be put into effect. Lord Halifax replied by giving an assurance that Britain would extend all possible help to Belgium and stand by the side of the Belgian people in the struggle which had been wantonly imposed upon them. The Foreign Secretary also assured the Ambassador that the necessary steps had already taken to ren-? der assistance to Belgium.