Majesty & Poullet

A fine and important distinction to remember: beloved Albert I is not King of Belgium but King of the Belgians. As paterfamilias of the nation, His Majesty rules with the decisive firmness of a good father. Last week he gave Belgian Deputies a fatherly piece of his mind, refused to let them upset the Cabinet of bankerish Count Charles de Broqueville, able grappler with Belgium's budget problems.

Count Charles was attacked in the Chamber because his Minister of Interior, Vicomte Prosper Poullet, had certified the election returns from small Hastiere near Namur. "In that election," shouted an Opposition Deputy, "there were gross irregularities. Shame on Poullet! Shame!"

Before Count Charles could summon all the Deputies who usually support him, the Chamber passed a snap vote of no confidence 82 to 72. Necessarily Count Charles announced the resignation of his Cabinet, started for the Royal Palace.

When King Albert learned the facts, he snapped: "A Government of financial and economic recovery cannot be thrown out because of an election in a village!" Backed by His Majesty, Count Charles withdrew his Cabinet's resignation, was not challenged in the Chamber again last week.

To deal with the issue of village irregularities King Albert summoned the Cabinet Council, the august body which decided last year that Belgium could not and would not attempt to make her War debt payment of $2,125,000 to the U. S. (TIME, Dec. 26). The Council will hear flustered Minister Poullet's explanation of his acts, was expected by many Belgians last week to accept his resignation.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.