To the Editor of the "Nomri-Cutwa Dany News"
Sm—1 am sure your leaderette concerning King Leopold has come as a welcome surprise to all. local Belgians. If, on the morrow of King Leopold's capitulation, and on the basis of the coly information coming through, we were thunderstrucke and many' of us reluctantly prepared "to condemn this action, yet a. feeling that all had not been said led us. hope that subsequent information would clear the name of the King in whom we had placed all our trust, and who was branded "a traitor."
This subsequent information has slowly been filtering through, and your editorial appropriately voices {he opinion which many of already reached. The word "traitor has been much used and misused of late, but when it is levelled against 'a monarch, its implications are far-reaching and leave a slur or the nation as a whole. It implies premeditation and wilful deceit, and nothing in the actions of King. Leopold reveals any such intention. have been given to read two: orders of the day" issued by the King to his troops prior to. the capitulation, The first was tasued on May 25, and roads as follows *Soldlers, The rear, battle, which Aree anes We Sil condued Int with Ail our "forces. and supreme ener twill be fourht on the eld where dacictorotdy sasine the The second, when annihilation Joomed "inevitable, was issued May 28, and reads:
"Soldiers. You have suddenly been gushed "into, war et violence a Known tovthis Way and you nave {otic nravely jo Refend ott national territory. inch by Inch, "Harassed. by an uninterrupted strug With, an" enemy "far superior bers and, material, we "Yotnd into ticepiem nies cannot wheen borne: in vain. T enid tovtose courage' and to\ conduct' wot selves: wit digaliy. May deserve Vion of the world "In. these grieviows circumstances vwndeserved misfortune which rem ie nine Lenpolt The frst "order of the day" was not necessary if treason was intended: it ig the proclamation of a King ready to do his duty: it is the voice a soldier worthy of a Father who had won the admiration of the worl The second order is that of a man of conscience. Its dignified terms, the subsequent dignified attitude of the King after the capitulation, Mis refusal to compromise with the enemy are sufficient proof of his loyalty to his people. and to, the cause which he declared pure" and just.
It is not my intention to start here correspondence on. the subject the conditions "under which the capitulation of the Belgian Army took place; correct information on the subject is sill scarce, and ne useful purpose would be attained present, but as you rightly put it, history. when all the facts are known, verdict thereon. It re hhenour will Be vindicated, slur that was east apon hhis name will be effaced.
A Bens. thai, Oct. 4
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.