MEMEL NEXT STEP

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19892, 21 March 1939, Page 6

MEMEL NEXT STEP

SWASTIKA SWAY INDEPENDENCE DEMAND NAZI GROUP LEADER PARLEYS BY. POWERS SOVIET SUGGESTION (Elpc. T«l. Copyright— tod Tress Assn.) (Reed. Mar. 21, 1.50 p.m.) LONDON, Mar. 20. Berlin messages state that it is generally accepted that Memel next Saturday will pass painlessly under the Swastika, but it is indicated that Lithuania and the Danzig Corridor at present will not be touched. The Lithuanian Foreign Minister today 'bad a conversation with the German Foreign Minister, Herr von Ribbentrop. It is believed that they discussed l the Memel situation. Paris reports heavy German troop movements in East Prussia. These strengthen the possibility that Memel may be the next on the list. The Memel Diet is to meet on Saturday next. The Memel German leader, HenNeumann, is expected openly to demand the independence of the area. It is understood that the British Cabinet has considered a Soviet suggestion that Britain should call an immediate conference of the Foreign Ministers of Britain, France, the Soviet. Poland and the Balkan States. According to well-informed circles the Russian Ambassador to Britain, M. Maisky, made the suggestion during a meeting with the Foreign Minister, Viscount Halifax, at which M. Maisky promised immediately to consult his Government regarding Britain's invitation to join a common front. Lord Halifax is reported to have asked whether Britain could rely on the full military support of the Soviet. M. Maisky replied that he was unable to undertake the commitment beyond the current treaty obligations, but the Soviet Foreign Minister, M. Litvinov. was most anxious to discuss the situation.