TERMS OF GERMAN ULTIMATUM

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

TERMS OF GERMAN ULTIMATUM

Lithuania Given Four Days To Decide threat OF MILITARY ACTION (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 22. \ The Home Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare, made the following statement on behalf of Mr. Chamberlain in the House'of Commons today. “I understand that the Lithuanian Foreign Minister, M. Urbzys, while in Berlin recently, received a demand from Germany for the immediate cession of Memelland to the Reich, coupled with the threat that, in the event of resistance or any application for support elsewhere, the matter would no longer be dealt with diplomatically but in a military sense.

“This demand amounted to an ultimatum, and Lithuania was required to take a decision on it within approximately four days, but Lithuania was assured that, if it were accepted, no further demands would be made of Lithuania.

“I also understand that the demand has now been accepted, though I have not been so informed officially by Lithuania, which has made no approach to Britain since the demand was presented. Sir Samuel Hoare added .that the Prime Minister would make a fuller statement as soon as possible. In the meantime lie declined to answer a supplementary question regarding the position of Britain as a signatory of the Memel Convention. Trade With Rumania. Consultations which are proceeding between the British and other Governments were mentioned by Sir Samuel Hoare, who made it clear that all possibilities were being considered. The Home Secretary also answered questions on the trade negotiations with Rumania. He said that Rumania had officially denied receiving any ultimatum from Germany. At the same time the uncertainty of the present situation was causing Rumania to take certain precautionary measures. Further information was given by Mr. R. A. Butler, Foreign Undersecretary, who said that Rumania was aware that Britain wished the exports of petroleum products from Rumania to the United Kingdom to be maintained and that that was one of the questions which it was hoped would be discussed between the British commercial mission and the Rumanian authorities.