OF GERMAN ORIGIN

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 27 February 1929, Page 5

OF GERMAN ORIGIN

THE FRANCO-BELGIAN STORY. FRENCH PRESS COMMENT. Per Press Association—Copyright. Australian Press Association. United Service. Received this day, 9.45 a.m. PARIS, Feb. 26. Le Journal is of the opinion that there is no doubt that the FrancoBelgian story is of German origin. There is further evidence that the Germans do not understand the principle respecting international obligations. Le Matin says that it is plain that there is a plan to create FrancoGerman discord on the eve of the League Council. FORGED IN BRUSSELS. TO PREJUDICE BELGO-DUTCH NEGOTIATIONS. Australian Press Association. United Service. Received this day. 11.15 am BRUSSELS, Feb. 26. Newspaper reports allege that the treaty was forged in the Flemish quarters of Brussels, one leader of which took a copy to Holland, disposing of it to a Dutch organisation which was acting for a German spy service whose headquarters arc at Mulheim on the Ruhr. An important newspaper at Amsterdam was offered the document, but refused to have anything to do with it. It is believed that the object of publication was to prejudice BelgoDutch negotiations. DISCUSSION IN BELGIUM CHAMBER. SYSTEMATIC HOSTILITY TO BELGIUM. Australian Press Association United Service. Received this day, 11.15 a.m. BRUSSELS, Feb. 26. It is alleged that the Franco-Bel-gian agreement was subject to two interpellations of the Chamber, to which M. Hymans replied immediately, explaining that the document appeared in a newspaper which was noted for its hostility to Belgium, and which accepted it without verification. It was the forgery of an evil-doer, inspired with a d'esire to prevent improved Belgo-Dutch relations.

He added that the Franco-Belgian agreement only provided to meet unprovoked German aggression. Moreover, it was purely defensive and was not opposed to the League Pact. The publication of such a forgery showed systematic hostility to Belgium, and he hoped the Dutch Government would collaborate with Belgium in establishing the true facts. M. Van der Velde, the Socialist leader, declared that the signatories to the document Would deserve court martial and those accusing us of aggression to Holland are liars 1 and ealumniaoirs.