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Congo & Security. A visit of state is ipso facto not a business visit, but Leopold III is expected to busy himself finding out what the British Government mean by a startling decision they took last week. This was to send to visit Adolf Hitler this week the notably pro-German Viscount Halifax, whose Cabinet post is Lord President of the Council. With all Europe assuming that Halifax & Hitler will talk over Germany's demands for colonial territory; her aspirations in Austria and Czechoslovakia; and her intentions toward Soviet Russia, now that Germany, Italy and Japan have made an anti-Communist pact (TIME, Nov. 15), King Leopold must discuss these vital matters with Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. His Majesty must seek British assurances that Germany will get none of the Belgian Congo in any case. Especially if there is danger of war in Eastern Europe in the next few years, Leopold III and Mr. Chamberlain have every incentive to try to get signed at last the often proposed Security Pact to assure Peace in the West (TIME, March11), with presumptive signers including Britain. Germany, France and Belgium.
*So long as Germany remained disarmed by the Treaty of Versailles, it was to Belgium's advantage to remain allied with Britain and France. King Leopold III, seeing that Hitler's rearmament of Germany in violation of Versailles had created a new situation, secured from Britain and France a release from Belgium's obligation to aid them, while they agreed to remain bound to aid Belgium in case she is attacked. This coup by King Leopold in person, his Minister in Berlin followed up by quietly obtaining from Hitler a pledge that Germany, too, will defend Belgium in case of unprovoked aggression ("TIME, Oct. 25).
*Niece of the King of Sweden, sister-in-law of the Crown Prince of Norway, niece of the King of Denmark.