"ACCEPT IN FULL."

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 66, 19 March 1938, Page 9

"ACCEPT IN FULL."

POLAND IS FIRM. " Appropriate Action " Will Follow Rejection. FEELING IN LITHUANIA. United Press Association. —Copyright. (Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, March 18. A message from Warsaw states that it is officially announced that Lithuania must accept the Polish ultimatum in full; a conditional reply will be regarded as a rejection and appropriate action will follow. A statement issued by the Foreign Office in Warsaw draws attention to the unsatisfactory state of Polish-Lithuanian relations. For 20 years, it is stated, Lithuania has not conformed to the frontier recommendations or to the League's plan to normalise relations. A run has begun on the Post Office Savings Bank in Warsaw, which is paying out freely.

A meeting of the Lithuanian Diet has been convened for to-morrow to decide upon a reply to the ultimatum. It has been suggested that u plebiscite be held on the question of amending the constitution, under which Yilna i' designated the capital, though it has been in Polish hands for 18 years. The Government has forbidden antiPolish demonstrations, but semi-military organisations continue to demand the rejection of the ultimatum. Demands Too Severe? The President, M. Smetona, has summoned representatives of the Army, the Diet and political parties to discuss the position. It is considered that a crisis is unavoidable if Poland does not moderate her demand. A message from Yilna states that Marshal Smiglv-Rvdz, after inspecting troops on the frontier, told a mass meeting, "You can trust me and the army to see that Poland's interests arc safeguarded." Lithuania will demand a summoning of the League of Nations to deal with the situation. Lithuanian national organisations demand the rejection of the ultimatum. It is reported that the Soviet will act if Poland marches. A message from Berlin states that Germany fully expects the PolishLithuanian problem will be settled without Polish military action. A Foreign Office spokesman described as "utter nonsense" reports that Germany would march into Memel if Poland inarches into Lithuania. Germany is reported to have indicated to Warsaw her urgent desire for a peaceful solution to the Lithuanian issue. A message from Warsaw says that it is reported that MarsTial Edwaid SmiglvRydz, Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Army, has gone to Yilna despite the ultimatum.