GRAVE ANXIETY IN POLAND

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

GRAVE ANXIETY IN POLAND

Now Surrounded By German Troops

FIRM DECISIONS DEMANDED Anti-Nazi Demonstrations In Warsaw (Independent Cable Service.) (Received March 23, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 23. The seizure of Memel has increased uneasiness in Poland which sees itself virtually surrounded on three sides by German troops, since Lithuania is now regarded merely as a German protectorate, with the independence of Latvia and Estonia also threatened. Apprehension was voiced in Parliament by a Government deputy, M. Dudzinski, who introduced a motion declaring that Poland was endangered by Hie emergence of the stark imperialism of Germany and demanding courageous decisions instead of a purely defensive foreign policy.

Several thousand members of the Social Democratic Party demonstrated against Germany in Warsaw today, speakers denouncing the annexation of Memel, Bohemia, and Moravia ’as robbery. There were cries of “Down with Germany” and “We will never give up Danzig.” Police prevented a march to the German Embassy. The Warsaw correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Company says that a Bolish communique prepared last night describing the German demands as a direct violation of the Memel Statute was withdrawn early this morning. It was explained that it lacked the Government’s approval. Actually, the German Foreign Minister, Herr von Ribbentrop, demanded its withdrawal, as be considered the issuing of it< an act hostile to Germany. The correspondent also states that the Lithuanian Foreign Minister, M. Urbzys, declined, on March 21, to sign a document similar to that which was obtained from the President of Czechoslovakia, Dr. Hacha, beseeching German protection.

ITALY DEFIANT More Recruits Called Up ROME, March 22. The Fascist publicist Signor Virginio Gay da says that Italy accepts the democratic challenge to the RomeBerlin axis, which is solid diplomatically and militarily and is ready for every eventuality.