THE FIGHTING SPIRIT OF BELGIUM Bruges liouSewives Attack Flemish National Socialists with Pokers and Frying Pans

From Our Former Correspondent in Belgium The resistance to collaboration with the Nazis in Belgium is staunch. Nazi cajolery, inducements, oppression are of no avail. The Belgians remain steadfast and loyal to their Constitution.
Cardioal van Roey, Primate of Belgium and Archbishop of Malines, with dauntless courage heads the resistance. He speaks his mind fearlessly each time he raises his voice to warn and guide his flock In a recent pastoral read in every church in Belgium, he boldly proclaimed that a paramount condition of permanent peace must be the restoration of liberty and sovereignty of Belgium.
This has incensed the Nazi authorities. The press organs controlled by the Germans have attacked the Cardinal; particularly his statement that any form of Government that attempted to suppress the Christian rule of family life was bound to fail. In this patriotic stand, the clergy faithfully and unitedly support the Cardinal.
GENEROUS UNDERSTANDING
A further point of the Cardinal's Pastoral letter was the emphasis he plated on the need for a generous understanding between the French and the Flemish-speaking Belgians:
Though the Germans have exerted pressure on the Belgians during their 23 months' occupation, they have not yet found traitors enough to permit them to form a Puppet Government. This is a proof of Belgian fidelity.
Much is heard or the trio of renegades, Leon Degrelle. Chieftain of the Rexists, Stal Declercq, Leader of the Flemish National Socialists, and of Henri de Man, former Socialist leader. They have not met with any signal success in forming their " AntiCommunist Legions " to fight the German cause against the Russians. In fact, the
former Anti-Communist Leagues of Belgium firmly refused to join them.
Leon Degrelle has donned thc Nazi uniform and is fighting in the Ukraine with his Rcxist Legion. Recently he was promoted " Corporal " and a few days later was machine-gunned by Russian aircraft and wounded. Seven Rexists were killed in the Donetz Region and 15 wounded.
SUCH IS THE SPIRIT The Rexists and the Flemish AsTational Socialists are meeting with refusal when they wish to have a Solemn Requiem celebrated for their fallen. The Cure of Bouchout declined to celebrate one for a member of the F.N.S. who fell fighting in a German motorised division last December.
When some of the Flemish National Socialist Black militia were parading in the ancient city of Bruges quite recently, the good housewives of Bruges set about them with pokers and frying pans. Not a few militia men were wounded.
Such is the lighting spirit -On the Belgian Home Front.