KING REPUDIATED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 May 1940, Page 5

KING REPUDIATED

DECISION OF BELGIAN GOVERNMENT

FORMATION OF NEW ARMY,

TO FIGHT ALONGSIDE ALLIES.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, May 28.

Following the decision of King Leopold to surrender, the Belgian Government decided to form a new army which will fight alongside the Allies.

King Leopold's decision to surrender came all the more as a thunderbolt because last night the Belgian Premier, M Pierlot, announced that his Government had met in Paris and again affirmed its will to continue fighting for a common victory. M Pierlot in this statement said: “King Leopold had not left his troops for three weeks. In the grave trial through which the nation is passing one figure dominates all our thoughts. King Leopold is the incarnation of the Fatherland; King Leopold is a man and a leader.”

A cablegram from London on Monday read: —The Belgian Premier and Foreign Minister went to Paris from London following a meeting of the British War Cabinet on Sunday. They conferred with the French Premier and the Defence Minister.

The French Cabinet was suddenly summoned for 10 p.m., and President Lebrun attended.

Later is was officially announced in Paris that the French Cabinet had examined the military and political situation and also heard General Weygand’s views, and M Reynaud would broadcast to the nation at 8.30 a.m. M. Pierlot said that at the meeting of the Belgian Cabinet the Speakers of both Chambers of Parliament and other leaders were present: “Having examined the situation and envisaged all possible developments, the Government is unanimous in affirming its will to continue whatever happens the struggle at the side of the Allies until common victory is won,” M. Pierlot said. No doubt they would have to face still many trials, but sooner or later the Belgians would triumph by remaining faithful to the cause to which they expressed their solidarity and to the code of honour from which they had never departed. There would be no peace until their independence was regained and the rights and dignity of the country restored.