Evening star., 1937-04-11
BELGIUM TO VOTE
0NCOURSE TODAY
Premier Van iceland Stakes
Future in Test With
Rexist DegreI|e.
Py the Associated Press.

Ry the Associated Press.
BRUSSELS, April 10-Two young
men Of Belgium, one the premier, the
other he who would be Belgium's
"fuehrer" or "duce," staked the pos
sible political fate of their little coun-
try tonight on clear-cut election
fight
The nations 42-year-old, American
educated premier, Paul van iceland,
tests his strength at the polls tomor-
row against the youthful. impetuous
year-old leader of the Fascistlke
Rexist party.
The immediate prize is seat in
the Chamber of Deputies. Degrelle
challenged Van iceland for it after
Rexist member from Brussels re-
signed.
The elections actual result may be
whether Belgium turns from tradi-
tional democracy to fascism.
Fight Divides Families.
Degrelle's burning ReXist movement
and his bitter campaigning have
dren into political camps and in
directly caused at least one man to
commit murder. The latter killed his
father at Client because the elder
attempted to prevent his son from
joining Degrelle's party.
Van iceland, known to be favored
by King Leopold, was conceded the
best chance of winning the seat.
To vote for Degrelle means vote
for civil war" said Socialist posters
plastered throughout the city.
Van iceland heads coalition cabi-
net of Socialists, Catholics and Lib
erals. He is member of the Cath
ole party.
Attacks American Associations.
The ReXist leader attacked Van
Zeeland's American associations,
charging he is American -bred-Yale
and Princeton"
He is fond of mathematical equa-
tlons and pretends to regulate every
thing as would producer of timed
food or factory manager In Massa-
chusetts," Degrelle said, adding Van
Zeeland's economic program was mod
eled after that of President Roosevelt.
Van Iceland accused Degrelle of
promoting Hitler fascism" and told
the voters their decision rested be-
tween his own clear and definite
path marked by institutions centuries
old" or Degrelle's adventure fraught
with perils"
Once taken lightly, Degrelle in re-
cent years has become a definite
power. Starting newspaper, Rex
in 1892, his influence steadily rose
His party captured 81 seats in the
chamber in June, 1886.
Degrelle Called Fascist
All of Belgium's important political
parties then turned against him.
They charged he was inspired by
Berlin and Rome and was a Fascist"
Degrelle's campaigning has taken
him before more than 200 audiences.
Van Iceland, quiet and stunning pub
lie furor, has given only few elec-
ton speeches.
Degrelle's program calls for better
pay for workers, slum clearance, end
OF linguistic quarrels, corporation
system with appropriate representa-
ton for all classes, and a close eco
nomic union with Holland, Switzer-
land and Luxembourg
Van iceland has countered with
quiet emphasis on peace and order,
stern attitude toward communism,
resistance to a popular front move
ment, improvement of the farmer and
middle-class traders.
All of Brussels 368,506 voters will
have to answer yes or no" tomorrow.
Voting is compulsory.
Last-minute campaigning brought
. refusal by municipal authorities to
permit Degrelle to hold a monster
demonstration tomorrow in Brussels
Park
A Rexist Senator. Count Xavier
Dergrunne, tried to demonstrate
against Van Iceland at the stock ex-
change. Police protected the count
from hostile crowd
Police patrolled the city.