DEATH OF FAMOUS BURGOMASTER

Southland Times, Issue 23969, 8 November 1939, Page 7

DEATH OF FAMOUS BURGOMASTER

CAREER OF M. MAX IN BRUSSELS (British Official Wireless) rugby, November 6., The evening newspapers express re'Set at the death in Brussels today of e famous Burgomaster of Brussels, M, Adolphe Max, who held his office for 30 years and as a Liberal Deputy was also at periods in the Ministry. His death followed an attack of bronchial pneumonia. His courageous services to his own country in the last war are recalled ip great detail. M. Max, who was 70 years of age, was Burgomaster of Brussels during the period of German occupation in the Great War. He sent the following telegram to the Lord Mayor of London at the beginning of September of this year: “When Great Britain, faithful to her promise, courageously faces the trials of war I express to you, l to the members of the Corporation of your City and to the population of London my feelings of the most enthusiastic comradeship.” The Queen Dowager of Belgium, Queen Elizabeth—who, with her husband was a close friend of the Burgo-master-visited him while he was still conscious. The Minister pf Interior, M. Deveze, will attend the lying-in-state, The funeral will take place on November j), but th e Burgomaster in his will desired that official honours, ceremonial speeches, and an elaborate procession should fee dispensed with-

M- Adolphe Max, the heroic Burgomaster of Brussels, was born there in December 186?, and studied law at the university, At an early age he was given his first important; legal posf and jn December 1909, jie was made Burgomaster of Brussels, in Which capacity he proved a skilful administrator.jn'August 1914, when the Germans were approaching the city he displayed the greatest, sangfroid and diij everything jn his power t<? allay the fears of the inhabitants, He met the German forces outside Brussels on August 20, protested against the terms imposed pn the city and finally got them tp waive their demand that the burgomaster and 106 citizens should be given up as hostages, He declined to sign an agreement to act only under the authority of the German Military Governor pf Brussels and reserved his freedom pf aotiom He also urged the inhabitants to display the Belgian flag. 'When p German general began an interview With him by ostentatiously placing a revolver on the tablei the burgomaster replied by putting his fountain pen in a similar position. Max issyed many hold and spirited announcements to the citizens, a notable one being connected with tlie German demand that the Belgian flags should be removed from the h-uses. It concluded with the words: “Attendons patiemment I’heure de la reparation." Th> s led to his arrest, but he was soop released, only, however, to be arrested, again in consequence pf a depute as to the war fine to be paid by Brussels, which he brought in requisition notes of the German army, "Dp you dare to mock me," shouted Field Marshal von der Goltz. "Your officers," retorted Max, "assured me that these notes were as good as bullion. I return you your gold." Max was taken first to Namur, then to Cologne and various other towns and finally in October 1916, to Berlin where he Was imprisoned. On October 30, 1918, he Was interned a* Goslar in the Harz, but managed to escape just after the armistice. Brussels welcomed him'back w(th tremendous enthusiasm. He was appointed a Minister of State without portfolio, named in the Order of the Day and made a member Of the Belgian Academy and vice-president of the Conseil Superieur du Congo. In 191? he was elected to the Chamber, in 1922 lie Went to Brazil for the centenary celebrations as a special Belgian envoy. During the Cabinet crisis in the spring of 1925 he made an unsuccessful attempt to form a Cabinet. jn December 1964, he 'celebrated the silver jubilee of his burgomastership.