TENSE DAYS IN MEMEL

Southland Times, Issue 23647, 24 October 1938, Page 7

TENSE DAYS IN MEMEL

German Demand For Autonomy

SECESSION CAMPAIGN MAY FOLLOW

LITHUANIANS ACCUSED OF OBSTINACY (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received October 23, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 22. The atmosphere in Memel is so tense that the campaign for defence of the Memel Germans, loosely defined as autonomy, could easily be transformed into a “back to the Reich” demand. White stockings, which marked the Sudeten Germans, are now seen in Memel.

The Germans, who are most indignant about the decision of the Governor of Memel to veto the Diet laws intended to prevent the influx of Lithuanians, who are intensifying unemployment among the Germans, maintain that Labour laws are within the competence of local authorities. The Lithuanians declare that they do not conform with the principals of the Lithuanian Statute.

The Memel correspondent of The Daily Telegraph declares that whatever their legal rights the Lithuanians are mistakenly providing the Germans with more ground for agitation. The Gennans are now claiming that the Lithuanians have proved their determination to prevent the proper operation of autonomy.