Following on Conference at The Hague

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 November 1939, Page 5

Following on Conference at The Hague

TELEGRAM TO BELLIGERENT NATIONS

TEXT OF MESSAGE MADE PUBLIC

(By Telegraph.- Press /Association.- Copyright.)

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ini'. ll.tlll r,, November 7

It is ohicially announced, uiat King- .Leopold of Belgium and wiitiennina nave maae a new peace move and nave jointly teiegrapnea to nngianu, nance ami Germany. ‘me Bnnsn united rress dissociation s Hague correspondent states that the text oi King' Leopold's anu qjueen Wilhelmina- s joint telegram is;—

“In this hour of anxious tension for the entire world, before war in Western Europe breaks out in its full terror we are convinced that it is our duty once again to raise a voice in warning' to the warring' parties who already have declared that they are net opposed to an investigation to find a reasonable and sound basis for peace. It is more difficult in the present circumstances for both parties to establish contact in order to determine precisely their viewpoints and approach each other with a view to coming closer together. As the heads of neutral States, having- excellent relations with all neighbours, we are ready to offer our good offices and, if this is agreeable to the parties, we are ready to facilitate by all the means at our disposal proposals they may suggest to us and do our utmost, in a spirit cf friendly understanding, to try to find a basis for agreement. This appears to be. what we have to fulfil for the wellbeing of our countries in the interests of the entire world. We hope our offer will be accepted and thus the first step taken on the road to the foundation of a lasting peace.’’ (Signed) WILHELMINA ' LEOPOLD The Hague, November 7, 1939.

A Brussels message stales that even members of the Cabinet were ignoranl of the precise range of the discussions between King Leopold ami Queen Wilhelmina. An official communique states that their Majesties exchanged views on some aspects of lhe international situation. A later message announced that King Leopold and the Belgian and Dutch Foreign Ministers conferred, after which King Leopold saw Queen Wilhelmina.