Nelson Evening Mail TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1927 THE LITHUANIAN SITUATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 29 November 1927, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1927 THE LITHUANIAN SITUATION

TIIE trouble between Lithuania and Poland dates back to Poland's forcible seizure of Vilna, seven years ago. The result lias been to throw the. Lithuanians, to a certain extent, into the arms of the Soviet, Government. About twelve months ago, the Government, of Lithuania was seized by a group of politicians, under the leadership of Valdenaras and Smetona, and immediately sups v;eio taken to suppress Communism. Foili leading Communists were seized and shot, for attempting to organise a Communist rising; 150 Jews, who were considered to be sympathetically inclined towards the Communist, movement, were arrested and court-mar-tialled; all Germans holding official positions in Mernei were expelled; and all Socialists' and peasants’ political organisations were dissolved. Then apparently for some time the political situation was quiet. President Smetona seems to have dropped out, of the Government, and Vadernaras became soio Dictator. Then, last September, members of the Radical Parties revolted against the Government. r l l«ey were led by a former Staff Officer, named Captain Majus, whom the Government bad cashiered for Communist activities. The rebels disarmed the police irf the

town c*f Tauroggcn, occupied the military barracks, and commandeered large sums of money. But the rising war. suppressed bv Government troops, and wholesale arrests and sentences followed ; Captain Majus escaping by flight.

At the same time relations between Lithuania and Poland remained strained over the question of Vilna, in spite of the fact that Valdemaras declared that he was ready to negotiate. Now, it seems, Valdemaras’ Government has been overthrown, possibly by Communists who have been instigated by Russian emissaries. Then, rather than see Lithuania come under the influence and, perhaps, under the complete eontrol of tlie Soviet Government, Poland proposes to interfere. That is what the situation appears to be, arid it is evident, that it contains the elements of troublo between Poland and Russia. It has been suggested that the League of Nations should interfere by placing Lithuania under mandate, handed, presumably, to Poland. At. first sight that would appear to lie a high-handed proceeding, but, as the League established the sovereignty and independence of Lithuania, it might very well interfere in : Lithuanian affairs if the. country becomes a danger to the peace, of Europe. One thing is certain: Poland under Pilsudski will not allow Lithuania to fall under the eontrol of Communists and become another Soviet linked up with the Soviet Union of Russia. Neither will the Leaguo of Nations be likely to consent to a State (which it created and which it liberated fron Russian control) coming under the influence of the 'Moscow Government. What has caused tho defection of the followers of Valdemaras does not appear. Russian machinations are reported "to have effected tho Dictator’s downfall. In September last ho concluded with Signor Mussolini a treaty of friendship and arbitration between Lithuania and Italy. That treaty undoubtedly was concluded in order to meet just such an emergency in Lithuania’s affairs as has occurred, and it is certain that those affairs will not bo settled without, the Italian Dictator playing a considerable part in the settlement. Tho three weak Balkan States—Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia —constitute a zone of weakness in tho political scheme of Europe. In case of serious trouble in Eastern Europe, they would almost certainly be swallowed up’by one or other of the greater combatant Powers. Their Tory weakness causes them to be a' temptation to Russia on the one band, and (in the caso of Lithuania) to Poland on the other. As the League created them, it is manifestly the League’s duty to provide for their protection, or to make such an arrangement as will guarantee their security. At present they are a danger to themselves and to the peace of Europe.