OSS - REPORT ON KING LEOPOLD OF BELGIUM/ASSESSMENT OF ADVISERS TO KING LEOPOLD, 1943

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: OSS Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP13X00001R000100220006-4
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 21
• Document Creation Date: November 3, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 16, 2013
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: November 24, 1943
• Content Type: LETTER

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SECR27
OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICES
Research and Analysis Branch
R & A No. 1467.2
SUPP1=.1-4T TO REPORT ON KING LEOPOLD
DOSCriDtiOn
The evaluation of new intelligence releived in recent days on
the position of the King.
Copy No. 1 ,
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SUPPLEMENT TO REPORT ON KING LEOPOLD
The
cline and
the war.
Summar/
King's popularity is steadily on the de-
abdication might become a necessity after
0322T
Intelligence received in recent days has thrown a aww
light on the present position of King Leopold as well as on the
entire monarchical problem in Belgium. A study of late reports
clearly indicates that the King's popularity and prestie are
steadily on the decline. The advance of Allied military opera-
tions, carrying with it the possibility of an early liberation
of the occupied country, is closely connected with the change
in popular sentiment.
When the Belgian Army surrendered, the people were con-
vinced that the war Was lost. They decided, therefore, to adopt
an attitude which would enable them to make the best of a bad
situation. This general sentiment accorded perfectly with the
King's decision to remain in the country as a Prisoner of war.
At the time, it seemed to the Belgians that Leopold had done the
natural, advisable thing. His action was interpreted by the
country as an examole of self sacrifice; it constituted, in fact,
the moral 2oint d'ap2ui of the people. In the first months of
the occupation ang-Leopold thus became the nation's rallying
point.
The intensification of German occupation measures, as
well as the growing Allied military operations, finally influenced
the opinion of the people. Resistance movements started their
activities and helped the people to obtain a clearer conception
of the unfavorable position held by their prisoner Kin. At this
crucial moment, when the people began consciously reviewing the
entire internal situation, the announcement of the second marriage
of King Leopold was made and undoubtedly greatly affeoted his
position. Furthermore, the King's apparent indifference toward
the fate of thousands of deported workers infuriated the lower
classes, who until then bad been among his most ardent admirers.
The weak protest made by Leopold at a late date did not alter the
impression left by his earlier passive attitude. At the same
time the higher political circles voiced their concern over the
influential position held by a number of close advisers of the
King whose political ideals and ambitions were rightly considered
as extremely dangerous to a democratic constitutional monarchy.
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It was realized that the Kingicould not control the ideological
opinions of his advisers, but it was belie-red that he could Nmere
taken a clear stand by insisting on the resignation of a number
of the most objectionable of them. His trip to aerohtesgaden
was also looked upon as an undiplomatic Malfe? This combination
of events had such an influence on the people that they 'nee, 'oe-
gun to doubt whether Leopold Can command the nation's full eon-
fidence after the war so as to be able to resume the duties of a
constitutional monarch. It is even questionable whether any a.?
tion undertaken now in an effort to raise his prestige and popu-
larity could be efficacious. It is to be expected that the 3,1-
gismo will view any such action as comparable to the efforts madm
of late by a number of persons who arm now adoptin4 for the first
tine since the invasion a stronger stand aKainst the occupying
authorities.
A study of King Leopold's present position raises Lm,
mediately the question of abdication. Though 'Icnawn as an ambi-
tious person, it should be remembered that Leopold, who has made
several unexpected decisions, might even abdicate of his awn free
will. Moreover, it is possible that the Belgians might insist
on the abdication of King Leopold. In both cases the question
of succession has to be solved. Leopold's only brother, Prince
Charles, is not considered fit to take os-or the haaey responsi-
bility of heading the state. Prince Baudouin, the nine year old
heir to the throne, could only reign under a Roglnoy uatL1 the
time of his majority. It is doubtful whether there is any per-
son possessing both the qualities and the popularity necessary
to assume the position of Regent.
It ia believed that the officials of the government
in exile agree with the people in occupied Belgium that a contia-
nation of a status of constitutional monarchy is essential to the
welfare of the country. The republican sentiment, present in
sone 'ilalloon circles, does not appeal to the people at large.
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OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICES
INTEROFFICE MEMO
General William J. Donovan
Williar:L L. Langer
DATE
Evaluation of i,emoranaufi on tan Leopola's
in response to request,
herewith an evaluat'Lon of the
King Leopola's advisers s-.17)-orted
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Tho role of the present advis.irs of (in z i.deopold and L:3
effect upon the importance oi the Kin's posLtion in
Del,;ium's posttwar political structure.
T7,vaination
The information contained
thc re2ort on [1.r.,.;ooid
advisers, prepared in and A .4,ondon by ;lvid " nknevl corr-?,s;onds
:rith intelligence received fro oth-pr rLia.c source.
herewith are additional details on some of
listed, in the basic memorandLm. Tne bio,.razhical data --17en in
these rel,orts will :,)erhaos further be clarified by th-.
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information.
i.eopold Is position
f cardinal importance
in
tn,3
franework of Rel4um's post-war reconstruction. Private reoorts
obAined from BeLdans who recently escaped from the occu:Aad
country confirm the opinion, however, that the :;',Ii prestie
has boen adversely affected especially since his second mar-.-
ThauF,h it j..; difficult to evaluate the sentiments of an antira
dopultion, it nevertheless is clear that a group of Belgians
are thin' *perhaps for the first time since their country's
indeendence -- of s),st,aWAshi.i.L.:, a 3elf;in republic aftr tha war.
Prior to th3 aar, only a fraction of comuunists and ex-
brnist TlamiLti ;'ationaliste nursed anti-Royalist sontimnts. At
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present, however, there is evidence that a republican tendency
is gaining strength among a small group who previously were sin-
cere Royalists. The bulk of the people, originally royalist,
now waver in their attitude toward the monarchy as a direct
result of the King's lack oflporsonai prestige.
King Leopold, thou.F.h a constitutional monarch, often used
his position to intervene in political issues. His ardent anti-
French feeling and his interest in the Flemish problem unquestion-
ably influenced Belgium's pre-iwar foreign eoliey. 3614an zo7ern-
ment circles in ,London feel that the King ought to dismiss a num-
ber of his personal advisers upon the liberation of the country.
Moreover, these Belgian officials say that Leopold's
authority should in the future be strictly curtailed. Imong the
advisers whose influence is considered objectionable are:
1) General van Overstraeten
2) Count Capelle
3) Baron Pierre van Zuylen.
The people of Belgium, hairever,'are unaware of the nature
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of the influence exercised on the King,by'these persons. Therefore,
the removal of this influenCa will not substantially raise King
Leopold's prestige.
If the Allies plan aninvasion of Belgium, then it be
-
muss highly desirable to obtain the full support of her entire
population.
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