MOVING APPEAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 August 1939, Page 8

MOVING APPEAL

i MADE BY THE KING ■ OF THE BELGIANS i — PREPARATIONS FOR HORRIBLE j STRUGGLE. WORLD CONFERENCE PROPOSAL 1 DROPPED. i By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. BRUSSELS, August 23. King Leopold, broadcasting in the name of all the signatories to the Oslo Convention said the world was living under such high tension that ail collaboration between countries seemed impossible. War would bring economic collapse. “Everywhere,” he continued, “armies are getting ready for a horrible struggle in which there will be neither victor nor loser, but a loss of spiritual values acquired during centuries of civilisation. Yet not a single nation wishes to send its children to death. It is still possible to negotiate. The worst can be avoided, but time presses. The evolution of events will soon render all contact more difficult. The right to live must exist and must be founded on a moral basis. We solemnly hope that those responsible for the guidance of countries will accept our suggestion to submit their differences and claims ter negotiations in a spirit of goodwill. We hope the heads of other States will join their voices to ours in the same desire to assure peace and security to their peoples.” King Leopold spoke in most solemn tones, in the presence of the Oslo Convention Ministers, who during the day considered a proposal to call a world conference, but this was withdrawn 'as several delegates doubted its usefulness.

A communique states that the Oslo Powers, at their meeting, agreed on the terms of the statement to be broadcast by the King of the Belgians and affirmed their readiness to collaborate actively in any international effort at conciliation.