BELGIUM'S AIM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24421, 5 October 1940, Page 12

BELGIUM'S AIM

ENTIRE FREEDOM MINISTERS IN LONDON BROADCAST TO PEOPLE ; (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Oct. 3. Two' Belgian Ministers broadcast ori the 8.8. C. Continental wave-length-to the Belgian people .on Thursday evening—M. . Gutt. the Finance Minister, whq spoke French, and M. de Vlelschauwer, who broadcast in Flemish. Stating that they were speaking on a free radio from a free country. the Belgian Ministers said M. Pierlot, the Belgian Prime Minister, speaking in France on July 21. had defined their Dosition. but although this definition was of the utmost importance to all Belgian people, the French Government refused to allow either a broadcast or a communication to the press. It was inevitable, the Ministers continued, that after four months' separation they and the Belgian People would not think alike on all points, but there Were certain orincicles which were embodied in the Programme :of the Beldan government' onwhich all would a?ree!' ; : Giving this:'programme, the Ministers.saidr '-Belgium is occupied by German armies, and its king is a prisoner. We are the only legal Belgian Government and the only Ministers appointed by the King. ~We want a free Belgium and a free King.-■'. We • want them completely and 'entirely free, as before August 4, 1914, and before May 10, 1940..; To achieve this aim we will fight side by side with Britain till final victory is achieved. Unjustifiably Attacked "On May 10. Belgium, unjustifiably attacked, took up arms and appealed to her guarantors. Since that date Belgium has not concluded any armistice or convention, even less signed a peace treaty. Legally and effectively she is at war with Germany, which in Belgian territory is. in fact, anolying war measures." ' The Ministers said they were speaking from England, where they were " welcomed as brothers, where hearts beat in unison with ours, where our soldiers are already mounting guard and where our daring airmen have volunteered to dispute their share of glory in the victorious battle of the skies with all champions of freedom and liberty." Thev added they were speaking "from the centre of London, the London that some of you may think a heap of ruins." The Ministers recounted how. they walked through wide thoroughfares, perhaps a little deafened bv the noise of anti-air-craft guns, but without encountering any obstacles and without feeling that thev ran anv risk. Describing the conditions in England, they said: "It ii? an atmosphere of intense industry unflinching resolution, and reasoned confidence. The trial is severe, but it is the same as 25 years ago for Britain. ?.s for Belgium, and for both countries the stake is the same—lndependence to be preserved by one and restored bv the other."