Evening star., 1938-03-19
A Baltic Austria.

Lawlessness in Central Europe has had
prompt repercussions on the Baltic. and
the continent hovers anew on the brink
OF war. In consequence Of border dis
pute between Poland and Lithuania.
Polish armies are momentarily expected
to march into the little World War
created state to their north, as the out
growth Of a minor frontier incident, but
IN fact to avenge the ancient grudge
which has embittered relations between
the Poles and Lithuanians ever since Po-
land occupied Wilma, ancient capital Of
Lithuania, in 1920.
But far more is at stake than the fate
Of little Lithuania now menaced by the
sudden loss Of her independence on the
ruthless Austrian model Within her
borders lies Memel, the seaport area
taken from Germany at Versailles and
placed under Lithuanian rule by the
Council of Ambassadors in 1923. In
habited almost exclusively by Germans,
Memel's 1,000-odd square miles and l5O,-
600 population are coveted as the Reichs
inalienable heritage. 1t is one of the
abodes of those oppressed national
comrades whom Hitler so truculently
took under the Nazi wing in his now
historic Reichstag harangue of February
20. Internationally during the past five
years, Memel was the object of Berlins
vociferous solicitude. Der Fuehrer and
his chief satellites, like Goering and
Goebbels, have increasingly agitated for
the ports restoration to Germany, and
harped. for propaganda purposes, on the
alleged hardships which the Teutonic
minority suffers beneath the Lithuanian
flag.
The Nazis lost no time In maneuvering
to fish in any waters that might be
troubled by the Polish Lithuanian fracas,
though 1t is of no direct concern to
Germany. Hitler spokesmen accordingly
proclaim that the moment Poland
marches into Lithuania, German forces
will occupy Memel There is all too sus-
picious evidence that collusion lies at
the bottom of these Vaccinations on the
Baltic, and that they involve dark
lantern deal whereby the Germans will
close their eyes to Poland's attack on
Lithuania in return for Polish acquies-
cence in the Reichs seizure Of Danzig
Meantime there Is speculation as to
whether the Nazis' underlying purpose
may not be to hold Memel as q trump
card in bargaining with Poland for re-
acquisition of the Polish Corridor. Such
trade would leave the Poles with their
coveted access to the Baltic through a
port of their own, at Memel, while graft
flying Germany's long-cherished dream Of
wiping out the situation which separates
East Prussia from the rest of the Reich
Events are moving kaleidoscopically
However they eventuate, 1t is already
clear that Germany's annexation OF
Austria has opened wide the hoodgates
OF territorial spoliation In Eastern Eu-
rope. Brute force seems about to be
re-enthroned as the sole arbiter OF the
destinies of weak peoples who yesterday
were free, but today find themselves,
without warning, pawns in q game In
which the only rule Is that might is
right. Once again the great powers, in
cluding the British and French democ-
racies and Soviet Russia, are suddenly
called upon to halt raid on the inde-
pendence of small nation caught in
the dictatorial naelstrom, lest oil Europe
be plunged into war.