BELGIUM UNDER NO OBLIGATIONS

Southland Times, Issue 23181, 23 April 1937, Page 7

BELGIUM UNDER NO OBLIGATIONS

DESIRE FOR COMPLETE INDEPENDENCE LONDON, April 21. Under the new arrangement by which Britain and France will concede Belgium’s independence, Belgium insists on a complete release from all her obligations to Britain and France. However, in the meantime the Locarno Powers’ agreement of March 19 will remain intact between Britain and France. Conversations on the matter will occur in London tomorrow between the Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden) and the French Minister of Defence (M. Edouard Daladier). Belgium’s undertaking to equip herself with an efficient army is accepted by Britain and France, who will henceforth have no written undertaking that Belgium will advise them if hostile aircraft infringes Belgian territory. It is gathered, however, that Belgium would regard such action as a violation of her independence, permitting her to advise Britain and France immediately. BRITAIN BOUND BY PEACE PACT (British Official Wireless) (Received April 22. 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, April 21. Britain considers herself fully bound by the provisions of the Paris Pact for the renunciation of War, the Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A. Eden) informed the House of Commons in reply to a question.