VITAL POLL

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue CXXIII, 10 April 1937, Page 9

VITAL POLL

BRUSSELS:-BY-ELECTION

FEVERISH PROPAGANDA

REXIST ACTIVITY

United Press Association—By Electric Tele-

graph—Copyright.)

(Received April 10, 11.20 a.m.)

'LONDON, April 9,

On the eve of 'the Brussels byelection, which is.expected to have a vital influence on the future of Belgium, Rexist and Government supporters arc engaged in feverish last-minute propaganda. . ..

This is probably the first time that the electors of any country have been invited, to vote on the ..straight issue of Facism versus Democracy. , The Socialists and Liberals solidly;support the Prime Minister (M. Van Z eel arid), but. the adherence of the. Communists is embarrassing:him, as it is feared that it will lead to many Catholic supporters returning blank-papers. .

The flood of: Rexist propaganda is overwhelming, r Three times a day letters from five'Rexist newspapers are placed in the, letter-boxes of every, resident in Brussels.'. It is rumoured that M. Van Zee'landih'olds documents prov-,' ing that Germany .is financing: this costly propaganda.-. ' ...'■' ' A special correspondent, of the "Morning Post" interviewed/-. M. Degrelle, who said:."Political parties are evil, and I aim to abolish them. There is no need for Liberals, as Rexism will establish justice. Wje will treat the Communists like thieves, and give them: a chance to reform, otherwise we will ruthlessly suppress them."

M. Van Zeeland, the Belgian Premier, last month accepted the challenge of M. Leon Degrelle, leader of the Rexists, to an electoral duel.. M. Van Zeeland resigned his seat in the Chamber, and the poll will take place on April 11. The contest is regarded as a. trial of strength between the ,'two protagonists of opposing policies, and a bitter fight is anticipated. . . . </