NAZI SEIZURE OF MEMEL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21304, 25 March 1939, Page 17

NAZI SEIZURE OF MEMEL

FUHRER’S WELCOME TO REICH i I Fate of Lithuania in Balance Menace of Pressure of Dictators United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright MEMEL. March 23. Punctually at 4 a.m., German units crossed the Queen Louise bridge. Hundreds of people cheered and every village hoisted Swastika flags. The troops entered 'Memel at 8 a.m. The autonomous Government ceased to function at midnight and Herr Himmler then temporarily took over the administration. Under a treaty with Lithuania, Germany grants Lithuania a 99 years’ lease of the use of Memel harbour. Twenty-nine persons, including a Jew and several Lithuanians have been arrested as suspects for espionage. Herr Himmler has instantly begun organising the secret police. HITLER'S THANKS TO MEMEL WELCOME BACK TO REICH United Press Association —By Electrh Telegraph Copyright MEMEL, March 23. “Now that we have substantially reached the end of reparations," declared Herr Hitler, addressing the crowd from a balcony in the main square, “I lead you back to the homeland which does not forget to thank you for your unswerving stead-fastness. A Germany has arisen which does not trust its fate to foreigners, but will determine it for itself, even though that might not please the outside world. We do not want to harm anyone, but we will not tolerate harm to us. It is our oath that no other Power will ever break our new community which arose from pain and need.” Another translation of the speech reads: “We have no intention of causing pain to the outside world, but we must make good the pain they caused us. I believe we are now substantially at the end of this making good.” The official version of Herr Hitler's speech published in Berlin omits the reference to reaching the end of reparation. LEGALITY OF SEIZURE FIRM ATTITUDE OF UNITED STATES United Press Association —Bv ui. Telegraph—Cop vrlpht (Received March 24, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 24. The Acting Secretary of State (Mr Sumner Welles) intimated that the United States will not recognise the legality of the absorption of Memel, although the acquisition falls In a somewhat different category than the German absorption of Czecho-slovakia, Nevertheless the seizure of Memel, through the threat of force, makes the step illegal.