BELGIUM: The King's Terms

For the first time in ten years, the Belgian people this week heard the voice of their exiled King. In a seven-minute speech, recorded in Switzerland and put on the radio in Belgium, Leopold outlined a compromise plan for his return. He asked that he be recalled to the throne, whereupon he would "temporarily" cede the royal powers to his 19-year-old son Baudouin. In Brussels anti-Leopoldists asked: How long is "temporarily"?

The King's speech, written after a conference with Christian Socialist Premier-designate Paul van Zeeland, was broadcast first in a somewhat heavy...

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