Appendix 4
German Declaration of October 13th, 1937MONSIER LE MINISTRE,
I have the honour, on behalf of the German Government, to make the following communication to your Excellency:
The German Government has taken cognizance, with particular interest, of the public declarations in which the Belgian Government defines the international position of Belgium. For its part, it has repeatedly given expression, especially through the declaration of the Chancellor of the German Reich in his speech of January 30th, 19367, to its own point of view.
The German Government has also taken cognizance of the declaration made by the British and French Governments on April 24th, 1937.
Since the conclusion of a treaty to replace the Treaty of Locarno may still take some time, and being desirous of strengthening the peaceful aspirations of the two countries, the German Government regards it as appropriate to define now its own attitude towards Belgium.
To this end it makes the following declaration:
(1) The German Government has taken note of the views which the Belgian Government has thought fit to express; that is to say:
(a) Of the policy of independence which it intends to exercise in full sovereignty;
(b) Of its determination to defend the frontiers of Belgium with all its forces against any aggression or invasion, and to prevent Belgian territory from being used, for purposes of aggression against another State, as a passage or as a base of operations by land, by sea, or in the air; and to organize the defence of Belgium in an efficient manner for this purpose.
2. The German Government considers that the inviolability and integrity of Belgium are common interests of the Western Powers. It confirms its determination that in no circumstances will it impair this inviolability and integrity, and that it will at all times respect Belgian territory, except, of course, in the event of Belgium's taking part in a military action directed against Germany in an armed conflict in which Germany is involved.
(3) The German Government, like the British and French Governments, is prepared to assist Belgium should she be subjected to an attack or to invasion.
I have the honour, etc.
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AKCNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT
The Belgian Government has taken note with great satisfaction of the declaration communicated to it this day by the German Government. It thanks the German Government warmly for this communications.
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