Evening star., 1939-04-02
Three Circumstances
Responsible for
Belgian Election
Martens Incident, Fiscal
Policy and Parliamentary
Situation Held Factors
BY BLAIR BOLLES.

The Belgian voters 60 to the polls
today (Sunday) in general elec-
ton, choosing members of the
Chamber of Deputies and the Sen.
ate for four-year terms. Under nor.
NAL circumstances there would be
no general election until 1910, but
upon the recommendation of the
Belgian cabinet King Leopold, act
ing in accordance with his consti-
tutional privilege. dissolved Parlia-
ment March 6 and ordered this new
election. This is not an unusual
procedure.
In order to ascertain the back
ground of the political situation
leading to this election - because
there have been conflicting reports
coming to the United States from
Belgium-The Star obtained from
the Belgian Embassy the following
official version of the events con-
tributing to the parliamentary dis
solution.
1t was emphasized here that the
Belgian government has taken no
action which could be interpreted
as a reputation of the Franco
British guarantee of Belgium's neu-
trality. AS for the dissolution, three
circumstances were immediately
contributory They were:
/. The Martens incident.
2. The financial policy.
3. The general parliamentary sit
uation.
DR.. Martens Is Issue.
The appointment of Dr. Martens,
known to some as DIR. Miracle" be-
cause of his supposed cures, to a
seat in the Flemish Academy of
Medicine has caused considerable
agitation in Brussels (the capitaD
and in the Walloon (French-speak-
lng) and in the Flemish mon French
speaking) sections of Belgium.
DR.. Martens became an issue be-
cause he was member of the
Flemish Council formed by the
Germans during their World War
occupation of Belgium. He was con-
demned to death by the Belgian
government for treason. but was re-
prieved under the general amnesty
granted in 1886.
His appointment by the Belgian
cabinet to the Flemish Academy
post brought out differences of opin-
ion in the Parliament concerning the
Interpretation of the amnesty law
and the attitude which should be
adopted toward persons who bene-
flied from it.
Liberals Are Opposed.
The Socialist and Catholic groups
I13 representatives out of the 202
members of the Chamber of Depu-
ties) agreed on procedure to solve
the situation, but comparatively
small number of liberals opposed it.
But at no time during the Mar
tens discussion did any of the lead
ers of the Catholic and Socialist
parties make any issue regarding the
maintenance of the unity of the
Belgian state, it is said. The par
ties are about evenly divided among
Flemings and Walloons. It has been
stated at other sources that the
Martens issue threatened to pit the
Flemings against the Walloons and
divide the nation.
One of the foremost leaders of the
Flemish movement. Mr.. Van Cau-
welaert, declared that it would be a
stupidity" to cause any administra-
tive division of the kingdom. The
Catholic party, in its platform for
this election, has affirmed it's will
to maintain the political, admins
trative and economic unity of Bel
gium upon which rests the indie
pendence and prosperity of the
country"
Financial Phase.
The Liberal opposition expressed
during the Martens affair would not
nave sufficed to prevent the forma-
ton of new ministry without re-
course to a general election. The
new ministry was to succeed that
headed by Premier Spaak, who ap-
proved the Martens appointment.
But the financial situation made
highly desirable the participation in
the government of the Liberal party,
which, while representing only a
minority in Parliament, has great
influence in commercial and finan-
cial circles.
The economic structure of Bel
gium renders the country peculiarly
sensitive to the fluctuations of the
index curve of economic activity.
Thus the depression which pre-