BELGIAN POLICY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 246, 17 October 1936, Page 10

BELGIAN POLICY

KING LEOPOLD’S SPEECH COMMENT IN EUROPE [By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 15. King Leopold’s speech has attracted world-wide attention. It is realised everywhere that it raises issues of tremendous importance. The Times’ Brussels correspondent says that the speech agrees with the feelings of the great mass of the population, which fears that Belgium, by signing regional pacts, will be drawn into international conflicts. It is understood that the Belgian Ambassador informed Mr. Anthony Eden that there was no question of Belgium repudiating any of her obligations. The neutrality policy outlined by King Leopold relates principally to the coming Locarno negotiations. Belgium wants under the new treaty to be a guaranteed party, but not a guarantor. The Daily Telegraph’s correspondent says that the future of Belgium in the new European system has been under examination in London recently. It is held that, should Germany attempt expansion, it would be eastward. Her concern in the west would be to hold off an attack from France going to help Poland and Czechoslovakia. The observance of neutrality by Belgium would lighten the German task. Meantime, French alarm continues. It is stated from Paris that the Government intends to ask Brussels a series of questions to elucidate King Leopold’s speech. Italy and Germany both find satisfaction in Belgium’s attitude, which the Dutch Press has also approved. The British Press takes the matter calmly, though the Daily Herald echoes the view heard frequently in the street to the effect that King Leopold seems somewhat unmindful of others’ past efforts to give Belgium the security and independence she now enjoys.

WELCOMED IN GERMANY COMMENT IN BERLIN BERLIN, Oct. 15. German opinion welcomes King Leopold's speech as giving an indication of the inexpediency of the Franco-Soviet Alliance. LONDON TIMES’ COMMENT AN IMPORTANT QUESTION LONDON, Oct. 15. The Times says: "It is certain that Belgium desires at all times to be on the best terms with Britain, but the plain revised conception of her future policy must be a matter of concern to us. Its bearing upon the negotiations for a new Locarno will be carefully and sympathetically considered.”