Evening star., 1940-05-28

(Contlnued From First Page)
said the Belgian forces affect
ed by the capitulation may
roughly comprise half million
men,
Belgium's unconditional surrender
was announced to the startled
French nation by Premier Reynaud
In q bitterly sarcastic speech in
which he called the action without
precedent in history"
Aisne. Somme Lines Hold.
But the French high command de-
clared the Allies would continue to
fight and their lines we're reported
holding solidly along the Somme and
Aisne River lines to the Maginot
bulwark in the east.
Heavy German attacks along the
Meuse River were said to have COL
lapsed under hot fire from French
positions.
Although the Belgian Army ad-
mittedly was an important force"
in the Allied campaign to stop the
German advance, M. Reynaud said
it had suffered many casualties and
many other Belgian soldiers un-
doubtedly had been taken prisoner.
Belgian Premier Hubert Pierlot,
broadcasting over the French radio,
repeated NJ Reynaud's statement
that the Belgian government had
decided to continue the fight and
had ordered reorganization of Bel
gian forces in France.
Nj. Pierlot said his government
had no part in Leopold's decision
and declared that the "act of one
man does not commit the entire
nation"
Army Being Reorganized.
Authorized French military sources
called the Belgian Kings order
personal treason, of which the King
alone must support the total respon-
sibility"
Belgian newspapermen in France
echoed this charge.
THE King is dead!" they declared.
Long live Belgium!"
The Belgian government an
nounced officially immediate recon-
struction of Belgian forces in France.
Belgium will put into action her
entire army in France, composed of
units already reorganized," its state
ment said, land will launch into the
battle all the forces of the nation
to triumph against the invader"
The exact numbers and types of
reorganized Belgian units remained
military secrets. Previous informa-
ton indicated that the bulk of the
Belgian forces had been fighting on
the northern wing of the Allied
front. well removed from France.
Relieved of Allegiance.
Addressing the Belgian nation in
his broadcast repudiating the Kings
action, M. Pierlot said:
THE King, exceeding the consti-
tuition, has entered into separate ne
gotiations with the enemy and has
treated with them. Belgium is
dumbfounded. But the guilt of one
man cannot be imputed to the en-
tire nation.
"Our army has not deserved the
fate which Is before it. The act,
which We deplore, is without legal
validity and does not bind the coun-
try. According to the Belgian con-
stitution - all powers come from
the people. '''
"The King has broken the con-
stitution and placed himself under
the power of the invader. Conse-
quently he is no longer able to gov
ern. -"
"Ohicials, state leaders and off,
GERS are, therefore, relieved from
the allegiance imposed on them by
their oath Of security. Among the
brave young Belgians who have
responded to the appeal of the gov
ernment in France and Great Brit
ain new army will be organized"
Faced heavy Losses.
Speculation over King Leopold S
reasons for his sudden decision to
surrender - communicated to the
Germans without even notifying his
French and British allies-included
these factors:
Terrific 24-hour pressure on the
Belgian sector Of the line, with de-