Moscow, June 17.
At official communique alleges that Latvia violated. the "Soviet-Latvian miuluat assistance pact by "not only of cancelling the military alliance) Al yeith Estonia, but by extending wuania and attempting to Include Finland.""—Reuter, President Smetona Leaves Kaunas, June 17.
President Antanas Smetona has left Lithuania for abroad following. the arrival of additional Soviet troops in his country, and he is regarded as_having resigned.
The Prime Minister, M. Merkys, who tendered his resignation follow: ing the Russian ultimatum claiming. the right "lo occupy Lithuanian ritory and station. suifleient. forces," is carrying out the President's duties.
The Lithuanian Government has issued a declaration that the increase in Soviet garrisons is necessary in order to strengthen the security of eastern "Europe owing to the inter-rational situation and war devclopments.
"The Commander-in-Chief of the Lithuanian Army has issued an order describing the Soviet troops as a friendly army.
In a broadcast last night, M. Merkys urged the Lithuanian' people to Tradition Broken By Appointments London, June 17.
Although contrary to the tradition of the French Republic, a soldier has taken over the premiership of France following the sudden resignation this morning of M. Paul Reynaud and his. Cabinet, The new Premier ig Marshal Pelain, "noted @-year-old French military figure, who rendered -bril-Mant service in the Great War.
He has formed a virtual military government, which includes General Weygand, Allied Generalissimo, and Admiral Darian, Commander-in-Chief of the French Navy, and Admiral Abrial, who played one of the main roles in the Dunkirke evacuation. M.
Paul Faure is expected to join.
Reynaud's resignation followed several meetings of the Council. of Ministers, which considered, "among other things, President. Roosevelt's reply to France's last. appeal for aid, and to what extent this reply' permits France to continue the struggle on her own territory under conditions which can usefully serve the common cause of the Democracies,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.