POLITICS IN BELGIUM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23057, 7 December 1936, Page 16

POLITICS IN BELGIUM

'■* - , ■''■:'■;■, M. LEON,DEGRELLE'S VIEWS YOUNG REXIST LEADER "ABSOLUTE NEUTRALITY: NO , : l\ .TIES". (From Our Own Correspondent) ,'""'■'."'■ '':■'. (By Air Mail) LONDON, Nov.'4. M, Leon Degrelle, the young leader of the Rexist -Movement in Belgium, who has declared that he will be Prime Minister in a few months,' times and will stay in power for 20 years, has definite ideas concerning the policy he would like to see adopted by Belgium. "The Rex wishes our country to be well defended on the express condition of absolute neutrality, and no. ties with anyone," M. Degrelle declared, in an interview with the representative! of a London' newspaper. ■" The Locarno agreement and the Franco-Belgian Treaty should be repudiated at once. The Rexist deputies have introduced a motion to that effect in the House. The motion points out that the fact that these treaties are not vet repudiated is in contradiction with the intentions clearly expressed by the King in his speech: We have had more than enough of all that! Unless the French break their pac-t with Soviet Russia . . . in which case we might talk to them again, but not before."; . GENEVA'S FOOLISHNESS

Asked whether he endorsed the view of the Flemish Nationalists, who claim immediate withdrawal from the League of Nations, M. Degrelle replied: " I am not opposed to the League on principle, but I feel that nothing but foolishness has been accumulated at Geneva. Rex believes in a League of Nations formed by the regeneirated countries of Europe who stand for the defence of civilisation against the Soviet.

" Belgium knows too little about the life of other nations. It seems ludicrous that we should be in such ignorance about England when London is just about one hour's distance by air from BrpSßels. Rex has already established valuable contacts with important authorities in the City of London. It has a staff of .competent business men and financial experts, whose views are entirely in harmony with British business views. Rex is of opinion that the Belgian franc should be at par with the pound sterling at its present rate." RELATIONS WITH GERMANY

" We want to live in a spirit of fraternity with all nations. To those who are opposed to close relations with Ge.tnany, we reply that Belgium, all through history, has been invaded by every Continental Power, and if we were to retain ill-feeling against our various invaders we should be without a single friend in the world. All we want is to feel certain that those with whom we seek relations are moved by a wish for peace. The Nazi regime, in our opinion, is moved by that feeling towards Belgium. When Rex comes into power we shall endeavour to see this wish materialise. Besides, do not forget that Adolf Hitler's Germany is a stronghold against Communism. We do not hide from anyone that our main object is to second the fight against Soviet barbarism. "The Rexist Plan covers an entirely new foreign policy, divided into three distinct stages:—(l) Freedom of all ties from neighbouring large Powers: (2.) strong economic and military ties with small countries, such as Holland. Luxemburg, and Switzerland, with a view to constituting an economic unity. Holland and' Belgium have similar interests, and are threatened by similar dangers. THE SMALL POWERS "The chain of small Powers favoured by Rex would greatly contribute to averting the conflicts which everlastingly jnenace us; (3) a new European organisation, thanks to the regenerated Continental nations, which will lead to a strong economic, and possibly even to a strong colonial, block. "I have all along regretted the absurd sanctions policy. On the very day Rex comes into power we shall not be ashamed to recognise the annexation of Ethiopia by a splendid country which gives the world an example of vitality. "There are few Communists in Belgium, but they are stubborn and violent men. Revolutions are always caused by a minority. The Communists were in a minority when they won Russia: Mussolini had but a minority 1o rely on when he conquered Italy. There are 600,000 Socialists in Belgium, whose leaders arc losing hold. These 600,000 Socialists may become Communists at the first opportunity,"