MEMEL SURROUNDED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18762, 16 January 1923, Page 5

MEMEL SURROUNDED

SUBURBS ALREADY OCCUPIED. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright PARIS, January 14. The Ambassadors’ Conference decided to make representations to Kovno to ensure the Lithuanian Government arresting the movement against Memel, which is regarded as an attack on Allied sovereignty. It was also decided to send a French colonel to command the Allied troops at Memel, whither Anglo-EVench warships are proceeding. The Lithuanian Government has officially declared that it is a local rising, and the natural sequel to a policy of Germanisation, in defiance of the wishes of the inhabitants, pursued bv the so-called Diroctorium which the Germans established when they controlled the territory, and which has not since been modified. The Berlin correspondent of The Times says the Lithuanians are advancing in a style suggesting that they are led by military experts. They are rapidly occupying Memel territory. 'The_ town is encircled and the suburbs occupied.—Reuter. BLOODLESS SURRENDER. LONDON, January 14. (Received Jan. 15, at 7.25 p.m.) Advices received in London state that the leader of the insurgent movement informed the French Commissioner at Memel that the whole district surrendered without bloodshed, and that hostilities were not directed at the French or at the Allies hut at the German Directorium, from which the non-German members had recently withdrawn. —A. and N.Z. Cable.