M. van Zeeland's Position Before this week's debates in the
Belgian Parliament M. van Zeeland is said to' have intimated that, whatever their outcome, he should resign his position as Prime Minister. Let us hope• that the subsequent demonstration of confidence —a vote in his favour was carried by 130 to 34—will dissuade him from doing so. It may be frankly admitted that in regard to the matter in debate—his relations with the National Bank of Belgium—he had not acted with complete discretion. When the Reidsts accused him of continuing to receive his emoluments from the bank, of which he had previously been vice-chairman, he replied in the notable debate a few months ago that he had received no salary from it since he left. This was true ; but he ought to have added that he was entitled to a share in a special fund, and this he had thrice received. The fact that he was fully entitled to it cannot entirely excuse his silence, either then or during the official enquiry conducted by his own Cabinet colleague, M. de Man. But the decisive points are (I) that he has convinced all reasonable critics of his essential honour and honesty ; (2) that he is personally almost indispensable to the Catholic- Liberal-Socialist Coalition, whose continuance means Belgian stability. A stable Belgium is important for Europe ; and in addition there is the personal mission, which M. van Zeeland undertook at the request of Britain and France, to report on the possibilities of liberating and expanding inter- national trade. It would be a misfortune if this fell through.
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