855.001 Leopold/6–1745: Telegram
The Ambassador in Belgium (Sawyer) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:23 p.m.]
807. Last night following message was sent to King Leopold by Belgian Govt:
“Message to His Majesty Leopold III, decision of the Cabinet Council of 16 June, 45, at 3 o’clock p.m. The Prime Minister has informed the Council of the intention of the King to come back to Belgium shortly. The Govt cannot take the responsibility of the political events which are inevitably going to occur in the country on the return of the King. In these circumstances it has sent in its resignation to the Regent stipulating that it would be impossible for it to carry on the current business from the moment of the King’s return [Page 127] to Belgium. The current business including necessarily the maintenance of public order and the political responsibility of any words which will be pronounced by the King. Therefore the Govt insists most strongly that the King should form a new Govt before his return to Belgium. In transmitting this decision the Govt insists that the King should let it know as soon as possible the answer he is going to give to it. The Prime Minister draws the attention of His Majesty to the rather unfavorable development of the situation.”
It was also broadcast and released to the newspapers.