-THE CHINA MAIL, MARCH 22,-1989
NAZI
ULTIMATUM
TO LITHUANIA JAPAN EXPECTS
Withdrawal
MISSION
From Memel In PLEASES
Five Days
Paris, To-day.
A German Note demanding evacuation of Memel territory within five days is reported to have been handed to M. Josef Urbeyd, the Lithuan- ian Foreign Minister, in his interview with the Nazi Foreign Minister, Herr von Ribbentrop, in Berlin, says a telegram from Kaunas.
RUMANIA
Paris, To-day. Announcement of the despatch of a British-trade: mission- to Rú- mania has made the best possible impression in Bucharest, accord-
ing to messages received here.
Rumanian political circles feel that with the support of Britain,
Rumania will be able to conclude
a treaty with Germany on equal footing.-Reuter.
an
FAR EAST POLICY CHANGE
TOKYO, TO-DAY.
THE SUGGESTION・・ THAT BRITAIN, FRANCE AND RUSSIA WILL BE OBLIGED TO MODIFY THEIR EASTERN POLICY OWING TO DEVELOP. MENTS IN THE EUROPEAN SITUATION, IS MADE BY THE JAPANESE PRESS.
The newspaper "Mijako Shim- bun" says Japan cannot but pay serious attention to the future course of events, because Europe is now exposed to serious danger owing to the strengthening of the Axis between Britain, France and Russia against Germany. Reuter.
The report states that if Lithuania refuses these DAY AND NIGHT ACTIVITY
terms, the German troops concentrated on the frontier would march into Lithuania.
However, if the Nazi note was ac-, in Memelland were forbidden to cepted, the Lithuanian frontiers pay out large sums of money. would be guaranteed and the right to use the port conceded.
Lithuanians have concentrated troops on the border between Me- mel and the rest of Lithuania,
In Memel yesterday, Dr. Neumann, the Memel Nazi leader, notably at Krottingen. It is be- informed Reuter that he expected | lieved that the troops forming the
positions there.-Trans-Ocean.
STRENGTHENING GERMAN DEFENCES NEAR METZ
Metz, To-day.
Lithuania "to surrender the Memel Memel Garrison will also Occupy Hurried strengthening of Germany's frontier de- fences is going on across the border, it is re- ported here.
territory in the near future." Reuter.
VIRTUAL ULTIMATUM
Memel, To-day. M. Gailius, the Lithuanian Governor of Memel, has confirm- ed that Germany has given Lithuania a virtual ultimatum de- manding cession of the territory to Germany.
M. Gailius added that Lithuania is considering her re- ply, and an answer might be sent to-day (Wednesday). Reuter.
THREAT TO MARCH IN GERMAN TROOPS The Governor said that Lithuania was also told that
should disturbances occur in the meantime, German troops would march in and restore order.
INFANTRY LEAVING
Memel, To-day. Evacuation of Memel by the Lithuanian infantry regiment sta- tioned here began yesterday after- noon. The troops are being trans- ported to other parts of Lithuania and it is expected that by to-day there will be no Lithuanian soldiers in the Memel district-Trans-Ocean.
"FREE CITY STATUTE?” The Kaunas correspondent the "Paris Soir" which asserts that German troops are being massed on the Lithuanian frontier, says that the fate of Memel was likely to be decided in course of yester- day afternoon, although he admits being without information on the subject from official Lithuanian quarters.
of
According to the correspondent, the existing Memel Statute will be replaced by a "Free City Statute". similar to that of Danzig.
FLIGHT OF JEWS
A mass flight of Jews from Me- mel into the interior of Lithuania set in on Tuesday.
The afternoon, train to Kuanas was crowded to overflowing with
Jewish fugitives.
By order the Directory, banks
MATIAL LAW POSSIBLE
Kaunas, To-day.
Lithuania owing to the political situation.
Martial law may be proclaimed in Workmen of all trades are busy day and night un- der the direction of engineer officers, a number of whom were sent to the frontier on Saturday night.
in
"Lietuvos Aidas" denounces this connection, in a leading article headed: "Beware of Enemies at
Home" the Lithuanian "activists" who are accused of plotting against the Lithuanian State.
A Cabinet Council was held yes- terday afternoon with President Smetana in the chair.
The Foreign Minister, M. Urbsyd reported to the Cabinet on the con- versation which he had on Mon- day in Berlin with von Ribbentrop.
A special meeting of the Diet was to have preceded the Cabinet Coun- cil but could not be held owing to a number of deputies not having received their summons to attend in time-Trans-Ocean.
DECIDED TO ACCEPT
London, To-day.
It is unofficially reported that the Lithuanian Government has. decided to accept the German demands and hand over the Memel territory almost imme- diately.
Throughout the day, Jews and Lithuanians were making # panic exit from the territory. -Reuter.
U.S. READY TO MAKE ANTI-NAZI DECLARATION
Washington, To-day.
It is reliably
if the proposed aromat
res-
sion declaration is signed by the European powers, the United States would be will- ing to issue a similar declara-- tion of its own. Router.
Hundreds of tank traps are being constructed
about a mile from the French frontier. It is stated that once these verly camouflaged and sheltering
machine-guns. tank "tombs" are finished, the
The frontier is patrolled night Germans will begin building re-
and day by German S.S. Guards inforced concrete pillboxes cle-armed with rifles. Reuter.
HOCKS & MOSELLES.
Imported from Messrs. H. SICHEL SOHNE, the world-renowned wine growers of Mayence-on-Rhine.
LAUBENHEIM
NIERSTEIN
HOCHHEIM
LIEBFRAUMILCH
(& Blue Nun brand)
SPARKLING
HOCKS
SPARKLING
MOSELLES.
SOLE AGENTS:
GANDE, PRICE & CO., LTD.
St. George's Building, Ice House Street, - *
Tel. 20135.