Evening star., 1939-03-22
NaZi Threat to Take Lithuania
Reported in Meme| Annexation:
Hitler En- Route to New Reich Port
Commons Is Told
By Hoore Of
Threat


LONDON, March 22.-The British
government said Germany had
threatened little Lithuania with &C.
tion in military sense" if she re-
fused to surrender Memel to her
today.
Sir Samuel Hoare, home secretary,
made it clear in the House of Com
mons that the British government S
information was that if Lithuania
had rejected Nazi ultimatum. Ger
many intended to occupy all of
Lithuania, not Memel alone.
Speaking as substitute for Prime
Minister Chamberlain, Sir Samuel
said:
The Lithuanian Minister for For
eign Affairs, who was recently in
Berlin, received while there, de-
mands of the German government
for immediate cession of Memelland
to the Reich, coupled with threat
that IN the event of resistance or
appeal for support elsewhere, the
matter wiuld be dealt with not
automatically but in military
sense"
Meanwhile, Reuters British
news agency dispatch from Bucha-
rest quoted Rumanian Premier Ar
mand Calinescu as saying that his
government hoped to disband re-
servists called to the colors within
from 10 to Is days.
League Call Weighed.
Previously Sir Samuel had told
the House that the government was
considering calling a special meet
ing of the League of Nations to con-
slider Germany's rapid expansion.
Britaln's negotiations for halt
Hitler" declaration we're reported,
meanwhile, to be held up, by a re-
quest from Poland for a Polish
British military alliance as the price
of her signature to such a declara-
ton.
Britain wishes Poland. Soviet Rus
sia and France to join her in a dec
laration against German aggres-
sion, but it was understood she had
declined thus far to promise Poland
an alliance
Foreign Minister Georges Bonnet
Of France, accompanying President
Albert Lebrun on a state visit to
London, opened diplomatic conver-
satlons with Prime Minister Cham
berlain in call at his Office in the
House of Commons.
Staff Talks Held.
The government whip. Patrick
Munro. disclosed that Britain is
conducting military staff talks,
through military attaches, with
France, Soviet Russia. Denmark.
Sweden, Yugoslavia, Rumania, Tur-
key. Greece and the Netherlands.
Mr. Munro answered no to a
question by Laborite Josiah Wedg-
wood whether economic and mill
tary staff talks will be initiated with
the United States concerning supply
they could make to this country and
our allies in case of war being
forced upon us"
Mr.. Wedgwood followed with a
further question.
May I ask whether this also is
an example of the inability of the
government to face the situation
and may I ask why no arrange
ments are being come to with Amer
lea in connection with supplies for
the next WARP"
Mr., Munro replied, That is an
other question"
Assured for Future.
Dealing with the German threat
to Lithuania. Sir Samuel said that
the Lithuanian government were
told that if they accepted the ulti-
matum no further demands would
be made" At this statement oppo-
SitiOn members broke into laughter.
The home secretary continued:
The Lithuanian government did
not communicate with the British
government.
"The Lithuanian government
were required to take decision
within four days. -
AT the same time I would wish
to say that we have no official in
formation on this subject from the
Lithuanian government or any
other source. Therefore I think I
had better not be drawn into fur
ther details before we have a re-
port"
Replies on Rumania.
Replying to the questions on Ru-
mania, Sir Samuel said "the Ru-
manian government have officially
denied that there has been any
ultimatum from the German gov
ernment
"At the same time the uncertainty
of the present situation is causing
the Rumanian government to take
certain precautionary measures
Hoare declined to reply when
(See LONDON, Page A-4.)