DEMOCRACY VERSUS FASCISM

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 71, 10 April 1937, Page 5

DEMOCRACY VERSUS FASCISM

■.Press Atin.-

Belgian Parties "Shape Up" for Electoral Battle PROPAGANDA RIFE

(By T«l«araph-

— Copyright.).

(Received 10, 11.30 a.m.) BEUSSELS, April 9. On the eve of the Bznssels byelection whicih is expected vitally to influfnce Belgium's future, Rexists and meanbers of the Government engaged in feverish lastminute propaganda. This is probably the first time that the electors in any country have been invited to vote on the straight issue Fascism v. Democracy. Socalists and Liberals solidly support the Premier) M. van Zeeland, but the adherence of CommunistS is embarrassing him, as it is feared that- it will lead to many Catholic supporters returning blank papers. The flood of Eexist propaganda is overwhelming. Three times a day Iet« ters from five Eexist newspapers are placed in the Ietter boxes of every resident of Brussels. It is rumoured that M. van Zeeland holds dccuments proving that Germany is financing this costly propaganda. The 'Morning Post's" special correspondent interviewed % the Eexist lcader, M. Degrelle, who said: "Politi* eal parties are evil. I aim at abolishing thom. There is no need for the Liberals, as Rexism will establish justice. We will treat ^Communists like thieves but give them a chance of ro* forming. Otharwise we will ruthlessly suppress them." "I am acting in the interest of the country," declared the Premier, M, Paul van Zeeland, on March 9 in ac" cepting M. -Leon Dcgrelle's challenge to an electoral duel. M. Degrelle, who is the leader of the Fascist Eexist Party, ordered a Eexist deputy for one oi the Brussels constituencies to rasign, simultaneously anuouncing that he himself would contest the by-elec-tion, thereby challengiug the Government to a trial of strength between their policy and his. A crowded Chamher eheered M. van Zeeland 's announcement that he would oppose M. Degrelle personally, "for the sake of democracy and Parliamentary Govern* ment,"