BELGIAN POLITICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22908, 16 June 1936, Page 10

BELGIAN POLITICS

SITUATION AIDS GERMANY

SEPARATION MOVEMENT IN FLANDERS

(United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

LONDON, June 15, (Received June I<>, at 1 a.m.)

The Morning Post's diplomatic correspondent, writing from Brussels, says that the progress of the political elements in Belgium further the German policy. Even if not consciously pro-German, it is causing considerable anxiety, and may endanger the position of Belgium as the keystone of Western security. The Flemish Nationalists, who revealed unexpected strength at the elections, aim at separating Flanders from the rest of Belgium and incorporating it with Holland in a new Netherlands State extending from Dunkirk to the Frisian Islands and leaving the French-speaking populations of Belgium south from Brussels free to join France. More immediate demands are complete financial autonomy for Flanders., the suppression of international engagements affecting Flanders, including the FrancoBelgian military understanding. The movements originated in the Great War and were engineered by Germany as a valuable instrument for weakening the Allies. The Nazis are reported to have financially assisted it at the recent elections. The Flemish Socialists are combining to demand the abandonment of the plans for fortifying the eastern frontier.