Poland Ready For Action

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 63, 16 March 1938, Page 5

Poland Ready For Action

" Lithuanian Provocation ”

Determination For Solution United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Tuesday, 7.5 p.m. LONDON, March 15. The Times’ Warsaw correspondent says that the rumours of troop movements on both sides of the frontier and a “state of alarm” reported to be prevailing in Kovno warrant the belief that the Polish Government intends to put an end to the “Lithuanian provocation” and compel the establishment after 18 years of continuous friction of normal diplomatic and trade relations. After a visit to Italy, where he had conversations with Signor Mussolini, Colonel Beck has returned to Warsaw. It is understood that his purpose is promptly to carry out whatever steps will be decided on for “dealing with the abnormal situation on the Bolish-Lithuanian frontier created by the obstinate refusal of the Lithuanian Government to establish normal neighbourly relations and its persistence in maintaining an inimical attitude towards Poland.” This is a quotation from the official announcement about the frontier incident at Marckinkance on March 11, when a Polish frontier guard was “ambushed and killed” a few yards inside Lithuanian territory. The general European atmosphere may be considered to have created a favourable movement for action.

Polish public opinion is probably in a mood to support any Government action against Lithuania.