BELGIAN CRISIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25054, 18 November 1944, Page 7

BELGIAN CRISIS

MINISTERS DESIGN DISBANDING OF PATRIOTS LONDON, Nov. 16 The Belgian Minister of Health, M. Marteaux, and two Ministers without Portfolio, MM. Dispy and Demany, have resigned as a protest against the decision of the Government to disband resistance movements. Hundreds of uniformed and civilian members of resistance groups this afternoon demonstrated outside Parliament House. MM. Marteaux and Dispy are Communists. The Belgian Government is facing its most serious situation since its liberation following the resignation of the Ministers, says Reuter's Brussels correspondent. Reports that the crisis had come to a head spread like wildfire through the city. The police put a cordon in the streets around Parliament Buildings as the number of resistance groups demonstrating increase?. "White Army's" Attitude The demonstrators contented themselves with shouting, " Destroy the Fifth Column," and "Safeguard the democratic forces of the country." A member of the resistance forces told the correspondent that the "White Army" could not see itself rendered impotent at a time when it was obvious that large numbers of traitors and collaborators were still at liberty. Today's Cabinet meeting lasted four hours. It is understood it was devoted almost entirely to the resistance crisis. Well-informed quarters believe new Ministers will be drawn from the Right Wing parties, which have never concealed their misgivings about the resistance movement. The resignations have come at a time when foreign affairs are requiring attention. M. Spaak, Foreign Minister, had a lengthy conference with M. Pierlot, Prime Minister, before his visit to General de Gaulle within the next few days. M. Spaak's recent mission to London was considered most successful. It is believed the problem of Allied aid for Belgium was largely surmounted. Allied Command's Aid The Supreme Allied Command approves the Belgian Government's measures for reorganisation of the Belgian forces, and if disorders result from the application of such measures the Allies' military forces, at the request of the Belgian Government, would assist the latter in restoring law and order. This is the effect of a message broadcast over the Belgian radio at the request of the Allied High Command. Britain and other Allies have promised arms for 40 battalions and help in training this new force, according to M. Pierlot in a broadcast to Belgium over the Brussels radio. Standing firm on the Government's decision, he called on the resistance forces to disband and to join the regular army, or face prosecution with the full rigour of the law. . "The Government has given tangible proof of its appreciation of the services of members of the resistance movement, and now desires to reconstitute the national army to augment the forces in the firing line," he declared. DUTCHMEN DEPORTED ROUND-UP BY 'GERMANS (Reed. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, Nor. 17 The Germans in Holland in the past few days have rounded up many thousands of able-bodied Dutchmen, ostensibly for diggine German defences in Holland, but actually the majority of these Dutchmen are being sent to Germany, says the Times' diplomatic correspondent. Evidence reaching London shows that the Germans have taken 50,000 men and boys aged 17 to 50 from Rotterdam and larger numbers from The Hague and Leyden. Reports from a number of villages state that 200 to 300 men were taken from each place. The Germans follow the same procedure in each village. They cordon off an area, search houses and remove men in lorries and barges. This German drive aims to break the resistance movement. FASCIST GENERAL (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON. Nov. 10 ? The Rome correspondent of the British United Press reports that General Mario Roatta, former Chief of the Army Staff, has been arrested under order of the commission for the punishment of Fascist crimes. LEND-LEASE PRODUCTS (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) WASHINGTON. N»v. 10 Mr H. L. Morgenthau, Secretary_ of the Treasury, said that high officials were discussing with a British mission plans for furnishing Britain with lendlease products after the defeat of Germany. Reconversion and post-war credits to Britain were being considered, but legislation would be needed to carry out such a programme.