London, Mar. 22.
Steps leading to the surrender of Memelland to Germany were outlined by Sir Samuel Hoare, the Home Secretary, in the House of Commons today, in the absence of Mr. Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister.
"I understand," Sir Samuel declared, "that the Lithuanian Foreign Minister (M. Joseph Urbsys), who was recently in Berlin, received while there a demand from the German Government for the immediate cession of Memelland to the Reich. The demand was coupled with the threat that, in the event of resistance, or of any application for support from elsewhere, the matter would no longer be dealt with diplomatically, but in a military sense. This demand amounted to an ultimatum, and the Lithuanian Government were required to make a decision on it within approximately four days.
"They were assured, however, that it it were accepted, no further demands would be made of them (ironical laughter)
"I also understand that the demand has now been accepted, although 1 have not been so informed officially by the Lithuanian Government, who have made no approach to His Majesty's Government since the demand was presented to them."
The Home Secretary added that the Prime Minister would make a fuller statement as soon as possible. In the meantime, he declined to reply to a supplementary question by Mr. Arthur Henderson, a Labour leader, regarding the position of the British Government as a signatory of the Memel Convention.
Consultations which are being held between the British and other Governments were mentioned in another reply by the Home Secretary, in which he made it clear that all possibilities were being considered.
Rumanian "Ultimatum"
Sir Samuel also answered questions on trade negotiations with Rumania.
Regarding the negotiations between
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