Evening star., 1936-10-25
Forceful Premier Brings Stability
To Country Once Headed for Ruin

still finds solace in the Odes and Epis-
ties Of Horace.
From the local school he went to
the five-century- University Of
Louvain. preparing for the bar. At
the same time he took up political
science and economics as side lines.
When the World War broke out he
served his time as soldier in the uni
yersity's own company. He joined the
field forces which were being pushed
out of Belgium by the advancing Ger.
man army. He was In the vicinity
Of Nieuport when taken prisoner in a
night attack, and after some vicissi-
tudes, of which no Belgian likes to
speak, was placed in the concentra-
tion camp of Soltau, a sleepy little
town about so miles from Hanover.
Although as an officer he was not
to work, at first, he made
use of every minute, studying law,
English and German. The early Sum-
mer sun saw him already at his books,
and he kept working until it was time
for lights to be put out. Some of his
thought he was aloof until
he explained that study was his
method of escape from "barbed wire
a rather common neurotic
condition of war prisoners, which
made them both pugnacious and
weary of life.
Year after year went by. There
seemed to be no hope. What was at
first thought to be an indeterminate
sentence was becoming life term. In
the fourth year of his prison life Van
Iceland was transferred to the gas
factory of Stuttgart where he had to
do manual labor. Then came the
which found him ready to
resume his studies at full speed.
He was graduated as doctor OF
laws and of political and diplomatic
sciences. Shortly afterward Princeton
University offered a one-year scholar
ship to Belgian graduate students,
and he won it. During his stay at
Princeton he took particular interest
in Americas banking system. about
which he wrote keen study. He be-
came deeply interested in this country.
the political and economic life OF
which he has followed closely ever
since. In his talks he often refers to
American institutions and reveals a
deep knowledge of life in this country.
After his return to Belgium he
began a busy life, which kept him
moving from place to place and from
higher to higher Offices. Although his
intimates feared that his retiring
nature would be handicap, he was
soon discovered by the governor of
the Belgian National Bank, M. Le-
preux, who made him his secretary
and saw to it that the unusual gifts
of his young assistant should not 60
to waste.
He was not yet 80 when he was rep
reSenting Belgium at some of the most
important international conferences.
With record-breaking speed he became
secretary of the bank, then its direc-
tor, and finally its vice governor. King
Fuad asked Belgium to lend him to
Egypt. and when he left Cairo after
a three months stay. Egypt's finances
were in much better shape. A few
years ago he was honored with a
chair in the law faculty of Louvain.
Took Interest in Politics.
Up to that time nothing had indi-
Gated that Van iceland would 60 into
politics. He was a member of the
Catholic party, which after the elec-
tions of 1929 had a strong majority
in the Senate and weak ajority in
the Chamber of Deputies-but he
took no active interest in the coun-
try's political life.
When the depression hit, Belgium
suffered acutely, because. her pros
perity depends largely upon foreign
trade. The nervous breakdown of
Parliament reflected the country's
position. Governments were trying
their best to stave off the worst effects
Of the crisis. 1t was first Premier
Count de Broqueville who thought Of
irafting Van Iceland for public serv-
Ice. He offered the young man a min
stry without portfolio, where he was
as useful as his limited authority per-
nitted him to be. He occupied also
the same post in the ministry Of M.
Theunis.
In March of last year Belgian
economic life reached a critical point.
1t was the King who took matters in
hand and invited Van Iceland for an
exchange of views. The vice governor
Of the National Bank was ready to
accept power if he we're sure to re-
ceive the backing of Parliament. His
primary condition was that all major
Socialists, Liberals
should be represented in his cabinet.
The professional politicians made
wry face when informed Of the Kings
intention, but there was grave dam
ger in delay, so they accepted Van
Iceland. One OF the first acts Of the
new premier was to close the Bourse
and suspend the gold standard. He
devalued the. belga by % per cent,
a large part Of the public
iebt, introduced an ambitious public
works program, reorgani0ed the bank
ng system under government control,
extended mortgage and credit relief.
Late last Spring new elections were
held in Belgium-and provided first
.ate sensation. The Catholic party
ost its majority and the Socialists be-
;ame the largest party-not because
hey won new seats, but because they
ost less than the other major party.
At the same time a new political party,
he Rex. suspected of strongly Fascist
injected itself into political
life by gaining % seats in the cham
Der, where until then it had none
The parliamentary picture indicated
/ Socialist government, but Van Zee
and's prestige had become so great
that he was asked to take the helm
again.