MEMEL ANNEXATION COMPLETED

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 153, 24 March 1939, Page 9

MEMEL ANNEXATION COMPLETED

Terms Of The Treaty With Germany

FREE PORT FOR LITHUANIA

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright,) (Received March 23, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 23. A message from Memel states that the territory was regarded as having been officially handed over to Germany, in accordance with the Lithuanian Government’s surrender, at 8 a.m. yesterday. The Lithuanian Parliament has ratified the transfer. The leader of the Memel Germans, Dr. Neumann, proclaimed the Anschluss in the Diet yesterday morning and announced that he was sending a telegram of thanks to Herr Hitler. The meeting closed with the singing of “Deutschland über Alles.” Storm Troopers then occupied the official buildings of the harbour authorities and the broadcasting stations. It is announced that the treaty between Germany and Lithuania for handing over the Memel territory to the Reich will be put into operation forthwith. The treaty contains four clauses as follows: — (1) The Memel district is to be reunited with the Reich. (2) The Lithuanian army and police must immediately evacuate the territory. Other administrative questions resulting from the change of sovereignty are reserved for a special agreement. (3) A free port zong is to be granted to Lithuania. (4) A mutual argeement of non-aggression will be signed.

Herr Hitler left Berlin at 2.35 p.m. yesterday for Swinemiinde (on the Baltic) where he will board the battleship Deutschland. He was due to arrive at Memel at 9 a.m. today. German troops will enter Memel this morning when all Lithuanian troops will be expected to have withdrawn. German cruisers and submarines are off the Memel toast. M. Viktoras Gailius, the Lithuanian Governor of Memel, issued a proclamation urging the population to preserve strict order, so as not to disturb friendly relations T7ith Germany, and to permit the Lithuanian Government to reach decisions calmly. All officials and civil servants, he said, were to remain at their posts. Citizens’ property would be protected. Factories and schools were closed yesterday and the Lithuanian guards were withdrawn from the frontier posts. Crowds of Germans fr<yn East Prussia have entered Memelland. Storm Troopers paraded the streets singing and waving swastikas. Lithuanians wept The leader of the Memel Germans, Dr. Neumann, said: “Today ends 20 years of abject humiliation. The Treaty of Versailles has now been torn uip and justice accomplished.” Meanwhile, the situation in Kaunas, capital of Lithuania, is stated to be serious. Despite the cession of Memel, German pressure on Lithuania is continuing. A conversation between the German Foreign Minister and the Lithuanian Foreign Minister is stated to have been heated, Herr von Ribbentrop demanding the immediate submission of Lithuania. Temporary martial law has been proclaimed.

THE MEMEL COVENANT No Provisions For Help Against Aggression (Independent Cable Service.) LONDON, March 22. Official quarters point out that the signatories of the 1924 Memel Convention are not guarantors and that there is no obligation in the Covenant providing for help in case of aggression. One clause lays down that the four signatories must be consulted before a change is made in the status of Memel, but so far neither Germany nor Lithuania has informed Britain regarding the measures they are taking. FOREIGN GOLD SENT TO LONDON (Independent Cable Service.) (Received March 23, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 23. A large consignment of Belgian gold was flown to London today and more is expected. Holland and Switzerland have already sent a large part of their gold reserve to London and New York, because of uneasiness over the present situation. “SLOVAKIA FREE AND INDEPENDENT” BERLIN, March 22. The Premier of Slovakia, Dr. Tlso, declared today: “Slovakia 1s under German protection, but we are not a protectorate; we are free and independent." lien- Hiller lias issued a decree declaring that Baron von Neuratli, Reich Protector in Bohemia and Moravia, is immediately responsible to him and jvill receive orders from him alone.