860M.01 Memel/590: Telegram
The Minister in Lithuania (Norem) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 23—3:30 p.m.]
13. The occupation of Memel territory effected today. German troops entered at 5 this morning and Hitler arrived at 2 p.m., Mr. Norkaitis, Director of the Economic Division of Foreign Office, proceeding today to Memel to act with Mr. Bertuleit as Commissioner for transfer. The substance of agreement signed last evening in Berlin66 is as follows:
(1) Return of territory to Germany, (2) withdrawal of Lithuanian military and transfer of Government property by commissions, (3) free harbor zone provided in Memel, (4) non-aggression clause. Appendix: [Page 96] Part I, (1) German harbor board provided with Lithuanian rights vested in a company under terms of 99-year lease, (2) lease considered paid by Lithuanian investments, (3) harbor fees to be collected by company upon review of harbor board; [part II,] (1) tax exemptions granted to harbor company, (2) establishment of limits, et cetera, of free zone, (3) custom inspection on border of free zone, (4) traffic in bond to Lithuania via Kretinga, (5) stay of Lithuanian ships in territorial waters to be favorably regulated.
Reaction to agreement found favorable in all quarters. The Government is proceeding cautiously to make necessary readjustments with martial defense measures throughout country. Certain Cabinet changes likely but indications are that Nationalist Party will continue in power. Jewish refugee problem remains to be solved.
- German White Book, Documents on the Events Preceding the Outbreak of the War (New York, German Library of Information, 1940), doc. No. 342, p. 363.↩