OSS - REPORT ON THE DECLINING POPULARITY OF KING LEOPOLD III OF BELGIUM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: OSS Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP13X00001R000100020010-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 20
• Document Creation Date: November 3, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 18, 2013
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: November 24, 1943
• Content Type: MISC

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(25)
24 November 1945
The Honorable Cordell :Mil,
The Secretary of State,
Wa hington 25, D. C.
My dear Mr. Hull: 4
A
General Donovan has asked that I send to you
Um attached report pvtoyared by M. Pierlot, the Prime
Minister of Belgiump twn the relations during the present
w r between King Leopold, III of Belgium and the Belgian
Government.
May we call to your attention the following
paragraph at the isemoranaua from our New York office
transopitting this repot to us?
*lite felt that this memorandum is in
ur pos8e5s4on is not known to M. Pierlot or to
Sma!lor .!Istbeithilk It was received against
certain olitauliOicet on our part as to its use.
We tuyite agreed ttot the document shoUld not be
iifl?ted irk thole or in part except of course
iiiippok:14.00414,0 $9104 for such future use as
10 OW Oniiikt,414`brO1Ute1y necessary. We have
tUirther 4101,11Withat TWO references should be made
to it in;0114r ".111004e.
1 10 resreet1411y ask that you have this report used
4.,
Ln* ttfitIMOT watt is, to the extent possible, etnretp+farst
with the above contLitionsr-t.
Xours respectfully,
";743v9tvAll..44046;c4"?'.-*--"'
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O. Edvord Buxton
Acting Director
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?Le irraluation of new intelligenoe reoeived in resent days on
tlue position of the Xingo
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BICIPPLEIGTT TO MORT ON Elle_LEORR).
11Olgoo
Ditatiarr
21120 KfLugla popularity is steadily on the
the war.
*line and abdica tionmight become a necessity after
intelligence received in recent days has thrown a new
light on the preaent position of King Leopold as well as on the
entire moicarchicel problem in. Belgium, A study of late reports
olearlY indicate the UWE popularity and prestige are
steedLly an the (Raclin). The advance of Allied military opera-
tions, carrying itpuh ill; the possi'bility of an early liberation
in popular' sentiment.
of the occupied country, is closely ocannected with the change
'When the Belgian, Array surrendered, the people were C1021,
minced, that the war was lout. They &added, therefore, to adopt
lilt attitude which would enable than to make the beat of a bad
eituaticn. This genera:I: aentimert accorded perfectly vrith the
rine* decision to reetkiln in the country as a prisoner of war.
At the time, it seemed to the Belgiatts that Locpo1d had cone the
natural, advise:I :thing.His 11441.071 is interpreted by the
*gentry' as an example ot self sacrifice; it oonstituted, in fact,
tik? moral int Wm itte the people. ICI the first months of
point.
the ecoupa on Eng opoad thus became the nation's rallying
The intensification of German ?elevation measures, as
ma the growing lalied military operations* ftcally influenced
the *opinion of the people. Resistanoe movements started their
ilLativLeil and wiped the people to obtain a 'clearer oonception
of the, unfavorable position held by their prisoner King. At this
crucial nosiento Nett. the people began oaascietasly reviewing the
enfant bvterral situations the &22112.017420?Xlita of the second marriage
at Ong laopold was made and undoubtedly greatly affected his
pOsittico? Furthermore* the ring's apparent indifference toward
the rate of thousands or departed warkerm infuriated the lower
eklmvsee, who until then had been suaong his most ardent admirere.
The week protest made by Leopold at a late date did net alter the
itpresaion lett by him earlier vastly. attitude. At the same
time the higher political circles voiced their ooncern over the
ittluentlia posit:lea bold 17 a number of facet) advisers of the
Xing; 'Whoa* politioal ideas 111141 ambitions were rightly considered
as extremely' dasprrous to a datooratiLo caatstitutional monarchy.
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It vas realised that the Xing, ?maid set control the ideological
opinions
or his adirisereA but; it vas believed that he eould have
talten a clear stand by insisting on the resignation of a number
Of . the most objections:el* of then., His trip 1;o Berehtesgsden
vas also loeleod urat a?e an inadiplomAio. move., Thia combination
or *tante bad such en influence on ties people that they b,sule bei.
ica4,, to dioubt- ashetber Leopol4 . eon oassend the lotion's full con-
fidence after the 'wax so as to be ala to resume Vas duties a a
oanstetuticnal noneroln. It is even questionable *other any se..
tics isadertaltan nor in inn. effort, to raise hie prestige and papa-
lora/ Could beiittleacisusip It is to be exiected that the Be]'
cisme will view any Such, eetion, as laosipisable to the efforts wade
of late by a saunter of persons who Imre nom adoptimg for the first
time since the invasion a stronger stand against tbs ocoviing
il study of Niug Leo:Toles present position rases is-
authoritimei ?
medistatly the (monition of libdiOilatitOne Thour)D. Imo= as an ambi-
tions persons it should be retaraberod that lisopold. *to has ivs.do
selveral unaspeated deoisions, migist even abdicate of hie (nvn free
*Ill.; llorsictver. it is possible that the 34113.06.11111 might insist
.en the, abdication of Ming :Leopoldo la both oases the ciLestion
Cf element= oils to be, salved& 'Leopold's only trothero Prinz?
Obfifitiest ilf net considered fit *Ls tate over the heavy respons14-
bility et beating the state., Priage Baudo, the nine year old
insti to tbst throne, could only rota: under as Regenoy until the
tine ter id& noprttio It is doubtful 'bother tams is any perm
son peedestiltg 'beet tlike qsalities and the popularity necessary
to aims.; the pee:WM a Regent('
is bellowed that the officials of the goverment
xile liras with the people in coeupied Belgium tbat a *outlaw
cation of a stalls or constitati4)nal isonarohy is essential to the
itioltrage et the coutitry? The republican mentiment, present in,
SOW Wile= circles* aces not appeal to the people at, large*
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General lab.= J. 'Donovan
William L. Larger
4ZU9JEC1. Evaluation of liellOraDitia Eing Leopold's ii&visers
In response to your request, I am attaching
herewith an evaluation or the memorandum on
Tang Leopoltils advisers supported by additional
information.
' .A,.--, itol tdamillitir ,
iiiimmillEMEINSMI I
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,CEPFICE CU STRATEGIO SERITIGES
Research anti Analysis Branch
I.
tiqaof a7,,T,A*14On report on the advisers of King Leopoilas,
fry. sAlaticztal irettmation.
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rostat of the Ringo op lack of paramal preatigee,
Zing Lefogelail, though a onst.itutional lonarcho often need
his rotation to inUrronein paliitleal ins. :His ardent anti-
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DVSIMM?EMIRSIMIX'S.TallAlgrr M?414#14M311041,,, 40strogamtot mnsys t
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General Donovan
William L. 'Langer ,
Memorandum on King I sopold"s Advisers
In response to your request of October 20
I am attaching hereto a copy of the memorsaam
from r. Davia Mb:my rim Leopolais aav
/47
444444
Milian L. Langer
Director, Branch of/
Research and Analysis
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anliaMilnatiagglaint 441-46a iiii,4-744W-74:LiA.6-4. -Et
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OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICES
AMERICAN SIABASY
London September 24, 1942?
7 4bIR .2,92S..li
Tot Dr, V4i1liem L. Langer.
Attent/cra: lienry B,,, Rill
Sub, 3oot : tirtg, Leopold' s advisers
. Theinformation in the attachod Mamorandum was obtaix..ed
Icy a member of 13,0., London, trona e. Belgian who, is 03.o8e to
themembers, of the Belgian Gicyveranent b.ere and whom my source
oenstders 1;o be very well-inTormed and reliable. The S,.0.
itim did, issan moo hovever, that thislielgian is a very cautiou.s
OLD end O ant at he is reluct to make unfavorable statements
stout influential persons unless he b.e.s certain substantiation;
contequenCryil, ltd,s description of T.Aeopoldis entourage makesthe
triallvidus.11,s appear as favorably as possible.
My isOiarcs 11a S.O., wbo is himself very welformed cn
ii sopa higply thought of here, made some importent suggestions
iota the problem or Leopold1 a advisers. 'Re declared that any
statement stout them and tileir Influence should be qualified
by the observation that the tins ts e. b.eadstron.g and stubborn
, sec; be is, not greatly Influenced In a dialect manner by
anyone& Another a the tingle pereonal characteristics, his
eirseitivity asta his proneness A;o being easily tart, make it
dilIsfixtvelt at slimy time to say precisely who his most influentie.1
elidvlsers ems. The persons closest to him ve.ry wi.i.th changes
in bie personal feelings.. 116t, this particular ttne it is even
More diaticat to single oui; the Taost influem,tial men around
lads because; the political situ,ation is so Altneettled; t1c,e
Mg slag be expeoted to ?
change his advisers to suit any new
trend olt events which he deems important..
e/ David Pinlmoy
Oslo
IP eggill a OP owl uti ds..nuic**004."
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SECRET
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MA LONDON
22,9043
S1JBJECT4 Notes on persons at present in the entourage of
King Leopold of Belgium
SOURCEI Belgian source through S,O.? London.
DATEt 21 September 19430
IMOials01.0.1W ammo moianIn iiiitailtwilissassione
1111.111111111 111M111011?111?1101?111110111MiumilliMINIM 011???????~MilliMilmillalliMninnlieftsPEammernir
g. ELIZABETH-
Much maligned by the French before Belgium's entry into the war -
Was secuselof being strongly pro-German. There is no evidence
to ccrrroberate this accusation. She has in all circumstances shown
a great patriotic spirit, and althowp. Queen Astrid became
extremely popular, Queen Elizabeth remained idolized by the soldiers
of the last war, who remembered her untiring devotion to them.
She has always shown great interest in social enterprises and all
posel.bilities of the people's welfare were of interest to her.
She greatly encouraged. all enterprises which opened new prospects
to the lower classes on the way of science erg; the arts,
3[1at gianummucerEN
Authoritarian tendencies; considered as having exercised a straag
inflames an the King. It is considered he held a theory of Belgium's
foreign policy which was nct in keoping with the Government's views.
After Belgium's surrender he was of opinion that the war was over
as far as his country was concerned and that to make the best of a
bad job the only possibility was that of collaboration with the
Gamma and to recognise the fact of Germany's supremacy in Europe.
lo toms politics he was known to be in favour of a very strong
concentration of power inthe King's hands, with a Government of
military administrators. He had a small following among young
rigtitists. Be was, however, not in sympathy with the Rexists.
103111?S.SPE
By WM education inclined to sympathy towards England. She belongs
to a family of very modest origin and will not be very readily
stecapted by the Belgian nobility. By the force of circumstances
oho will be pro-democratioally inclined,
lalcamtp JACWEVPIAVIGNOW
fas Ambassador in Berlin in 1940 when the war broke out,
He was Always convinced of the German danger, but hoped that a
careful policy might have kept Belgium out of the war, If war was
to coma be saw no other way than a fierod resistance. Held in
huh *Steen by the King, he was often consulted by him in pre-wer
408.0 After the eol/apse of France, he believed England would go._
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the same way. But he is not anti-British* His ambition was to be
Ambassador in London and but for the war ha would most certainly
have been. He is a man of high moral standard and a great loyalty.
Agent of a policy which has failed he has been among those Who
believed the only salvation for the country was in collaboration.
it he has' no sympathy for the Germans. Many people, however,
consider him wrongly, as responsible for the policy of independence
and neutrality.
ERI :DE MLN
Has discredited himself completely and is considered by most people
0 a traitor. Already before the war his short popularity, due
to the formulating of a "Vow Deal" policy, had been outlived.
ONBI.,BAELS
Several times OhrislAan Democrat, Winister in pre-war years. Is
a man without any political influence or backing. He is a
political gambler who., Si father-in-law to. the King must consider
his political career ended. As Governor of the Province of Bruges:,
Where his absence made him unpopular, he has already left parlia-
tontary life.
AILECNSAIME&E
Is considered to have been since the invasion one of the worst
counselors of the Xing. He appears to have been entirely favourable
to collaboration with the Germans, on the consideration that there
was no .other salvation for Belgium, as the French and British
varantors had failed to substantiate their pledges in any successful
tray.
AMA WNW&
Liberal statesman who had always been prOf.Frendh and anti-German.
Atter the defeats he was of opinion that reconstruction was
newbanal7 Ind made tentative moves of conciliation with the Germans.
The petteet service was rendered to him by the Rexists, who
danoulaced him as Of Jewish origin, and who recalled that the
Pleoiags hate him,
lAVRI9ESIPMEA
Elazig& liberal; wealthy banker. He has been very much in the same
VOSitiOn as Nwegeo ne toyed with the idea of forming a new Government
itt,BiPttSselso Bat he aldo was denounced by the Rexists as a poll-
/401 el delirviing finanoia interests and, although Flemish, not
thoototalole to the ,more advanced Zemings of Germanio tendencies.
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21 33S
Chief Justice. A man of high integrity, profound ith and great
intelligence; made a rapid career in the law coubts?-"Triiiss the
King's best counselor and informed him fully on his rights after
the surrender, showing how under the constitution he was in a
state of inearsoity and could not, without breaking his pledged
oath, form St new Government in Brussels, should such a possibility
ever be considered.
ago* ICI1EIT4
Liaison officer between Laeken Castle and the German authroities.
He is unpopular amongst the people* Rightly or wrongly they
assert that he was instrumental in the Kings s marriage, working _
on Germs. instructions to bring it about in order that the Kiligt 2
popularity might be diminished.
BORON PIERRE van ZUYLEN
Accepted from the Germans a nomination as Socretary General to
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs s but resigned very soon after when
realized that the enemy wished to use him as a tool. His acceptance
had inflaaneed several younger mon of his department, but, unhappily
his resignation lid not have the same effect. He has stayed in
contact with the higher officials of his department, but spends
meet of hts time administering :his fortune, and living on the
income at Ms income. ?
A2ERT ADOIYARD JANSSEN
Banker and former Finance Minister in a Catholic Government.
frol'essor at the University of Louvain. Has played a great part
in relief organizations and is one of the confidants of Cardinal
Van Role. No. outstanding political liability, but excellent
financial expert, who worked on the restoration of Austrian
finances after the last war and is well known in the financial
oireles of the League of Nations*
llEttrYNE
Catholic flaming, Professor at he University of Ghent, and Senator,
One of the soundest political elements - with great influence and
eocmianding respect. Will certainly be one of the Catholic leaders
ef the country.
IDILLY NAM
:Belonged in his University days (1924) to the more extreme Flemish
mostemant* Since that time, however, he has taken a more sober
political line and appears to be a man whose influence in the Flemish
part of the country will be considerable. Els attitude is entirely
patriotic*
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