GIVE UP MEMEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23486, 25 October 1939, Page 9

GIVE UP MEMEL

iTERM OP 55 TEARS GERMAN NEGOTIATIONS PART OF MOSCOW BARGAIN By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received October 24, 10.35 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 24 It is reliably reported from Kaunas, says the Riga correspondent of the Times, that negotiations are progressing between Lithuania and Germany for the return of Memel to Lithuania for 55 years. This is said to be part of the bargain under which Germany withdraws from the Baltic in Russia's favour. A German ultimatum was presented to Lithuania on March 20 last, demanding the cession of Memel to the Reich in exchange for which the territorial integrity of Lithuania was to bo guaranteed and special port facilities granted at Memel. This demand was accompanied by a threat that, in the event of any resistance or application for support elsewhere, the matter would bo dealt with by the military authorities, with consequences not to be foreseen. The Lithuanian Government was required to make a decision within approximately four days. After prolonged sessions of the Lithuanian Cabinet and Parliament, the latter ratified the transfer of Memel to the Reich on March 22, and the same day a treaty to this effect was signed in Berlin. An "anschluss" with the Reich was announced in the Memel Diet, Lithuanian troops and officials evacuated the territory, and German troops marched in. Hi tier visited Memel on March 23. Memel was ceded by Germany under the Treaty of Versailles and after 1920 was under French administration. In 1923 it was claimed by Lithuania, after being occupied by Lithuanian irregulars. Its status as an autonomous territory under Lithuanian sovereignty was determined by the Memel Convention of 1924, of which Britain, France, Italy arid Japan were guarantors under the , League of Nations. When it was seized by Hitler it was incorporated in the province of East Prussia. NOT DOMINATED LATVIA'S EXPERIENCE SOVIET DESIRE FOR PEACE INTEGRITY OF NEIGHBOURS LONDON. Oct. 23 The Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, M. Munters, in a speech at Riga said: "Neither our talks in Moscow, nor the tenor of our pact with Russia, have revealed any tendency to domination. The political efforts of Russia, and also of her western neighbours, are dictated by the desire to keep out of the war.

"Our pact is based on the principle that the integrity of Russia's Baltic neighbours is necessary for Russia," the Minister added. "We could have refused a treaty, but it was impossible not to recognise Russia's interest in our situation. "Russia cannot have any interest in Sovietising Latvia, which would be contrary to the desire of our people, destroy mutual confidence, and create complications harmful to Russia's seefiritj'." Three Russian battleships, two cruisers and one destroyer have arrived at the Latvian harbour of Liepaja, states the Berlin wireless.

LOSS OF ROYAL OAK INQUIRY BEING HELD (Received October 24, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON", Oct. 23 The Ministry of Information states that an inquiry into the sinking of the battleship Royal Oak by a German submarine in Scapa Flow is proceeding. . ;; German statements that another ship was simultaneously torpedoed are without foundation.