FORCE INDICATED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 67, 21 March 1938, Page 7

FORCE INDICATED

POLISH ARMY AND NAVY | SIGNIFICANT MOVEMENTS Received March 20, 6.30 p.m. WARSAW, March 19. It is revealed that the Polish navy, yesterday moved in the direction of Memel. It was reported then that if Poland s ultimatum to Lithuania was rejected or an unsatisfactory reply was received, Polish troops would march on Kovno. General Kasprzycki, the Polish War Minister, said he estimated that his mechanised infantry and artillery units already massed on the frontier could reach the Lithuanian capital In two or three hours. Little resistance could be expected from the Lithuanian army, which consisted only of 24,000 men. A proclamation would then be issued inviting the Lithuanian people to elect a Government that would make peace with Poland and conclude a lasting political agreement. The Polish troops would then move out, as Poland, it was stated, did not desire to annex the country. Estonia and Latvia, it was reported, were urging Lithuania to accept Poland’s demands, which also included the punishment of those concerned in the frontier incident of March 14. GERMAN DESIRE A PEACEFUL SOLUTION. BERLIN, March 18. Germany is reported to have indicated to Warsaw her urgent desire for a peaceful solution of the Lithuanian issue. She fully expected the problem to be settled without Polish military action. The Foreign Office spokesman described as utter nonsense reports that Germany would march into Memel if ’olsnd marched into Lithuania.