The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-22
Lithuania Is Handed Ultimatum byG Germany
tcontinued from Page l,

would be beneficial to future good relations of both countries.
 Apart from that Ribbentrop said that he was in possession of re- ports that the temper of the pop ulation of Memelland was such that | it was necessary to reach Q very rapid decision in order to prevent incidents.
 "After Urbsys' report the ufl1is- teriaI council had @ long discussion of the situation at secret session of the Selma"
 Second Communique
 Tt is well known that the Lith- uanian government has endeavored to settle all questions arising in Memelland in conjunction with the German government.
 "In a declaration of December g, 1898, the government proclaimed itself ready to discuss all outstand- ing questions with the German gov- ernment and was ready 10 di"patch a member of the government to do so.
 Discussion in Berlin, unfortunate ly, did not progress in a spirit fit- ting to the legal position of Memel territory, the spirit which was to be expected in light of the action of the Lithuanian government.
 "The discussion dealt with mat ters which violated the Memel con- vention and the German-Lithuanian treaty of 1928.
 According to article XV of the convention, sovereignty over Memel territory, as well as existing rights of sovereignty over the territory, could not be relinquished without consent of the signatories, Great Britain, Japan, Italy and France.
 Demand Is Painful
 "The demand which has been pre- sented to the Lithuanian govern ment is painful.
 "The Lithuanian government is assuming great responsibility in reaching a decision on this ques- ton.
 "It is still too early to speak of tre decision of the Lithuanian gov- ernment, which will assuredly be reached h the light of the entire needs of our nation and the condi- tions actually obtaining"
 Then came the announcement of surrender.
 It was expected here that Memel would be given the status of free harbor for Lithuania, in line with a declaration by Ribbentrop that Ger many would generously consider" Lithuania's interest in Memel har- bor if the question was settled peacefully by agreement.
 Reports that Memel might be made a free city were discounted.
 As regards reports that Germany would be granted protection" for her minority in Lithuania proper, and would be given some economic privileges, the feeling in diplomatic quarters was that all details of the question had not been worked out
 There was no confirmation of re- ports published abroad that Lith- uania had been negotiating with Poland but that the negotiations had been abandoned.
 Nazi Troops I'm Hrab0r
 Memel Nazi storm troops occupied the harbor, postal and other official buildings and the Memel broadcast ing station today after announce ment that the territory had been surrendered to Germany.
 The radio station began broad casts in German at noon.
 Victor Gailius, Lithuanian gov- ernor of Memel territory, in proc lamation to Lithuanians, urged them to preserve strict order, not to dis turb friendly relation with Ger many and to permit the Lithuanian government to reach decisions calm ly.
 Gailius said he expected all off, cials and civil servants here to re- main at their posts and continue their duties. He said that propreties of all citizens would be protected.
 As news of the surrender spread, Nazis quickly donned their uniforms previously forbidden, and thousands of Memellanders surged into the streets rejoicing at the prospect of their return to German nationality.
 Hit1erites Celebrate
 Columns of Hitler youth marched through the streets singing Nazi songs
 "Heil Hitler!" shouts rang through