 |
| danger no longer existed, and for that reason I made my suggestion
that we, on our part, should also not think of an occupation of Norway.
|
| |
| * * * *
* * * *
* * |
| |
| b. Belgium, The Netherlands, and
Luxembourg |
| |
| |
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT TC-36* |
| |
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 1141 |
|
| |
STATEMENT GIVEN TO THE KING OF THE BELGIANS
ON 28 AUGUST 1939 BY
THE GERMAN AMBASSADOR |
| |
| 28 August 1939 |
| |
In view of the gravity of the international situation, the Head of
the German Reich has charged me expressly with the task of transmitting to Your
Majesty the following communication.
Though at present making every effort to
find a peaceful solution to the questions which divide the Reich and Poland,
the Government of the Reich nevertheless desires to define at once the attitude
which it will adopt towards Belgium, should war in Europe become inevitable.
The Government of the Reich is firmly resolved to adhere to the declaration
contained in the German note of 13 October 1937. This stipulates that Germany
shall in no circumstances attack the inviolability and integrity of Belgium,
and shall at all times respect the territory of the kingdom. In renewing its
undertakings, the Government of the Reich expects, however, that the Belgian
Government will, for its part, maintain an attitude of strict neutrality that
is, that the Belgian Government will tolerate no violation of its neutrality by
any third party, but will, on the contrary oppose any such action with all the
forces at its disposal. It goes without saying that, should the Belgian
Government adopt a different attitude the Government of the Reich would
naturally consider itself obliged to defend its interests as required by the
newly created situation
Certified correct copy of original.
Brussels, 12 October 1945 |
| |
The Director
[Signed] JEAN BILLEN |
| —————————— |
* On 26 August 1939, Germany also made
official declarations to Luxembourg (TC-42, Pros. Ex. 1143); and to the
Netherlands (TC-40, Pros. Ex. 1142) See Nazi Conspiracy and aggression, op.
cit. supra, vol. VIII, pp. 383-385, for translation of these documents.
Several conventions or treaties of arbitration and conciliation between
Germany and its neighbors include: arbitration convention with Belgium of 16
October 1925 (TC-13, Pros. Ex. 1134); convention of arbitration and
conciliation with the Netherlands of 20 May 1926 (TC-16, Pros. Ex. 1135); and
treaty of arbitration with Luxembourg (TC-20, Pros. Ex. 1136), Ibid, pp.
320-325, 337-346, 362-368, respectively.
800 |
. 
