POLITICAL CRISIS IN BELGIUM

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23257, 19 July 1945, Page 5

POLITICAL CRISIS IN BELGIUM

King Gives Reasons For Attitude Limited Exclusion Bill Passed By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyrlghl BRUSSELS, July 17. The Belgian C hamber of Deputies, by 1)8 votes to 6, passed a Bill declaring that King Leopold may not resume his constitutional functions until both Houses have declared that he may reign again. Thirty- - two members abstained from voting. The Prime Minister (M. van Acker) read a letter from King Leopold to the Regent (Prince Charles). King Leopold in the letter to Prince Charles gives his reasons for refusing to abdicate. The Brussels radio quotes Leopold's letter as follows: “When my health, which had been impaired bv long captivity, had improved sufficiently, I informed the Legislature and Ministers of my intention to take up my constitutional powers. After consultations with people in all walks of political life, I found out that at present I should be unable to form a Government which would be supported by a parliamentary majority. Three-fifths of Parliament and a violent Press campaign clamoured for my abdication. Far be it from me to impose myself on the country.

“From the beginning of my reign I only worked for the welfare of the country. My person means nothing. If I am convinced that abdication corresponds with the desire of the country, I should not hesitate, but go. But, whereas the Parliamentary Opposition rose against me, my information made it clear that an important majority of the country insisted on my return. In these conditions. conscious of my oath when succeeding to the throne as king of a constitutional monarchy. I do not want to imperil the stability of the institution I swore the repect. In the crisis in which the country finds itself at present, I therefore decided to conform to the principal of fundamental law of the constitution. The disequilibrium which circumstances have created between Parliament and the nation does not enable me at present to learn the wish of the country. I shall, therefore, wait for regular elections to re-establish the harmony between the Chamber and the public attitude of the citizens which it is to represent, before taking any definite decision. Will Bow Before Nation “I shall certainly bow before the national desire as expressed in the voice of our institutions, but only the wish of the nation can make me resign the great office of the King of the Belgians. I am confident that I have done the job without fail with the assistance of my people. I hoped to have the pleasure to be liberated in a liberated Belgium by the heroic forces of resistance and the glorious armies of our great Allies, but circumstances have decided otherwise. As a gesture of appeasement I will not return to Belgium before the nation has been consulted.

“I ask that all who have kept confidence in me await my return, bow before my decision and support the Regent for the common good of the country and of the dynasty. I bow before my compatriots who gave their lives for their country and before all who suffered the odious persecution of the enemy. May the example of their courage and selfsacrfice contribute to make firmer still the unity of Belgians, which is more than ever necessary. I beseech my compatriots not to forget their common resolution, to remain a free united people and enable us to master the gravest crisis without a political and social revolution. I have no other ambition but to continue the tradition of the dynasty as the first servant of the country.” The Chamber of Deputies has appointed a commission to decide on the legality of Parliament’s procedure in the present unique muddled situation. Leopold's Letter Criticised “The King seems to express an attitude which is not in agreement with the fundamental principles of our institutions,” said M. van Acker. “The Government considers that discrimination between Parliament and the nation gravely imperils our institutions.” M. van Acker violently criticised the King's arguments against abdicating. Tire King said in his letter that he did not feel that the present Parliament was representative of the nation. That argument was reminiscent of pre-war Fascist propaganda. “The Government considers that it is not up to the King to decide by his own will when he reigns or when he does not,” said M. van Acker. M. van Acker’s speech was greeted with applause from the Left and Centre. Rightist members shouted: “Long live the King!” and Leftist members: “Long live Belgium!” All six Catholic Minist::.s in M. van Acker's Government have resigned. They explained to M. van Acker that they were unable to continue in office as their views differed from those of the Government. They claimed that their action was supported by the Right Wing parties The meeting of Parliament has been postponed in consequence of the resignation of the Catholic Ministers states a later message. , Th , e , President of the Chamber decided to leave his seat as a protest if an attack was made against the King. All the Catholic members would take a similar attitude.