NEWS OF THE WEEK G ERMAN indignation at the death sentences
passed on four Memel Nazis has already produced the obvious comments from those who have not forgotten certain flagrant miscarriages of justice in German courts. But two wrongs—if a wrong has been committed in the court at Kovno—do not make a right. If the German contention is true, that the trial of the Memel Nazis on a charge of planning insurrection against. Lithuanian rule was not conducted fairly, then there is a case for protest. So far as the general situation in Memel is concerned, there has been provocation on both sides. Lithuania could not be expected to tolerate the activities of a National Socialist Party openly working for reunion with Germany. On the other hand Memel is now under a Lithuanian Directorate which holds power through a legal quibble in violation of the spirit of the Statute ; it is a dictatorship oppressive to the German population. But whilst it is undoubtedly true that the pro-German people of Memel have been harshly treated, that in turn is largely due to ceaseless Nazi propaganda directed from Germany. The incident will certainly not facilitate the conclusion of pacts -between Germany and her eastern neighbours. * * *
