Allies inform Wilhelmina & Leopold that a durable peace must result

King Leopold III and Queen Wilhelmina  State visit to Brussels in May 1939  

November 12, 1939

The New York Times reports today on King George VI's response to Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands and King Leopold III of Belgium "of their good offices in the war between Germany and the Allies."

King Leopold III and Queen Wilhelmina State visit to Brussels in May 1939

The King's message, which was read in conjunction with a message from the French president Albert Lebrun, was "the nearest approach yet to a clear, definite statement under which the democratic Allies would be willing to discuss peace with the Nazis." There was nothing in the King's message that "justified belief that in it an undefeated Hitler would find a basis of understanding with the Western powers."

The Dutch and Belgian sovereigns sent for "a renewal of their offer of efforts for peace" as Nazi troops press against their borders.

King George made it clear that the British, who were reluctant to take up arms, "were determined not to lay them down until satisfied that the bogy of German aggression had been banished and the people of Europe had been guaranteed independence and liberty."

King Leopold III and Queen Wilhelmina in Amsterdam in November 1938.  All three images: Marlene A. Eilers Koenig Collection.

King George said he did not want the war to continue "one day longer than is absolutely necessary." He also promised Wilhelmina and Leopold that if they could communicate proposals from Germany "that would square with the aims of the Allies, the proposals would receive "earnest consideration."