1938: Lithuania

The independence of Lithuania was threatened during 1938, and the prospects for the future independence of that country do not seem very bright. The German threat brought about greater willingness to cooperate with Poland with which no diplomatic relations have existed since Oct. 9, 1920, when a Polish general, Zeligowski, occupied the city of Vilna claimed by the Lithuanians as their capital. Lithuania declined to recognize the decision of the Conference of Ambassadors of March 15, 1923, which gave Vilna to Poland, and subsequently proclaimed Vilna as the capital in its Constitution. It also refused to have any diplomatic or economic relations with Poland as long as Vilna, illegally seized, was not returned to Lithuania. 'Neither war nor peace' was the condition prevailing in the relations between Poland and Lithuania, and the latter consistently refused to establish even railroad connections with the former, fearing it might mean recognition of the frontier.

When, in March 1938, Hitler annexed Austria, Poland took advantage of that European crisis to settle the question of her 'dead frontier' with Lithuania which had lasted for eighteen years. On March 17, 1938 the Polish Government addressed an ultimatum to Lithuania demanding restoration of diplomatic relations within forty-eight hours, and the opening of the frontier to railway and postal traffic. The Lithuanian Government not being able to count on the aid of the Western European democracies, and having only mild support from the Soviet Government was compelled to yield to superior force, and accepted unconditionally the Polish ultimatum. In April for the first time since both nations regained their independence after the World War, a Lithuanian envoy was sent to Warsaw and a Polish representative went to Kaunas. On July 1, in accordance with the terms of the ultimatum, railway traffic was resumed between the two countries and negotiations have been started to facilitate trade, including the floating of Polish timber down the Niemen River.

The Polish ultimatum and the forcible procedure which compelled the weaker Lithuania to renounce its Vilna claim produced great resentment in that country, and the government of Juozas Tubelis, which capitulated to Poland, was compelled to resign. The Rev. Vladas Mironas, chief captain of the army became head of a government little different from that of Tubelis.

The government of Mironas followed a policy of understanding and collaboration with Poland. A fair treatment of the Polish minority in Lithuania was promised, and Poland and Lithuania announced jointly on Nov. 12, that they would present radio and press news about each other in a 'good neighbor' spirit. This change of the Lithuanian attitude toward Poland was largely prompted by the general international situation and the increase of Nazi power in Central and Eastern Europe following the Munich settlement. The Germans in Memel, now dominated by the Nazis and their leader, the veterinarian Dr. Ernest Neumann, who in 1935 was sentenced to twelve years imprisonment for high treason and later pardoned, have increased their agitation for the return of Memel to Germany. The Memel agreement or statute signed in 1924 by the principal allied powers and Lithuania created in Memel a semi-autonomous regime, under the Lithuanian sovereignty, with its own Parliament or Landtag and Executive, called the Memel Directorate. The population of Memel being predominantly composed of Germans, they won in the 1935 elections 24 out of the 29 seats of the Memel Landtag. The elections of Dec. 10, 1938, were conducted by the Nazis, under the slogans 'home to Reich' and 'one people, one State, one Fuehrer.' The victory of the Nazis at Memel was certain. At the end of 1938 the authority of Lithuania in the Memel territory was more nominal than real, and the British and French Governments were calling upon Germany to respect the Memel autonomy statute. Lithuania seemed to be faced by two alternatives; either to retain the nominal sovereignty over Memel and enter into the German political and economic orbit, or to definitely lose the Memel districts. Economically the Memel port depends on the Lithuanian hinterland and separation may mean disaster for Memelland.

Following the increase of Nazi power the pro-German party of the now-exiled former Premier Voldemaras has developed considerable activity and the Kaunas government has been forced to reimpose emergency rule to halt this movement propagated from Memel. Antanas Smetona, the 64-year old President was reelected on Nov. 14, for his fourth seven-year term. With a short interruption Smetona has held the Presidency since the resurrection of Lithuania in 1919.

Smetona probably more than any other individual is responsible for the rebirth of Lithuanian nationalism. He led the movement in Russia for Lithuanian independence for twenty years prior to the World War. In 1919 when he was elected President, he refused to accept dictatorial powers. In 1926 and again in 1931 he was reelected.