BELGIAN CRISIS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23260, 23 July 1945, Page 6

BELGIAN CRISIS

Speedy Solution Sought State Affairs Paralysed BRUSSELS. July 20. Speaking in the Chamber of Deputies debate on the question of lite abdication of King Leopold, tile Belgian Prime Minister iM. van Acker, said the crisis had paralysed Belgian State affairs, and must he settled as quickly as possible. "Mj> personal opinion is that the King is not a traitor." he added, "bur he believed that Germany would win the war. There was tension between the King and the country before the war, and the King was not always wrong, but he no longer has the credit or the authority to discharge his high duty. "The King did not react to the occupation as the rest of Belgium did. He believed in a German victory and did not leave the country and follow his Government to London. These were very grave mistakes, which I deplore. "We have shown patience, moderation ana understanding, but Belgium's most vital needs cannot be sacrificed for one man." “Many Mistakes" Among King Leopolds "many mistakes." M. van Acker listed his failure to resist the deportation of civilians, a marriage which lowered his prestige among the people, and a visit to Hitler. M. van Acker added that King Leopold had described the AngloAmerican generals as brutal and clumsy. He thought Belgium might have become the scene of bloody disturbances when the Allied landed in Europe. But for his wavering hesitation, the King would have returned to Belgium after the liberation and have abdicated after a few months, said M. van Acker. The Duke of Brabant would have ascended the throne in an atmosphere of general elation. M. van Acker ended his speech with the declaration that it was his unshakeable determination to lead his country along constitutional lines. He appealed for an end to dissension and a return to unity in rebuilding for prosperity.