PREMIER’S RUSE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 1 December 1927, Page 5

PREMIER’S RUSE

DRUNKEN “GUESTS” TAKEN TO GAOL (‘(Sun” Cable) , (Received Ist December, 9 a.m.) LONDON, 30th November. Tho “Daily Mail” Riga correspondent reveals a comical side of the revolt at Kovno on Saturday. A regiment with tanks and armoured cars, concentrated in' one of the fortresses. Officers, under Commandant Petrutis, sent an ultimatum to Smetona and Vaidemaras, demandin'/ their resignation. Vaidemaras invited the officers to breakfast and discussed a bloodless capitulation, served quantities of vodka and champagne, and left his guests carousing. He sought an old friend, General Plehavichus, who gathered loyal flying officers and went to Vaidemaras’s ” assistance. Peeping into the cliping room Vaidemaras saw the guests drunk arid loaded them into motor.cars and took them to gaol. .It is reported that they have been already executed, and Plehavichus reinstated as the chief of staff, but another mutiny is expected.

STATEMENT IN COMMONS

(Received Ist Decomber, 11.15 a.rn.) LONDON, 30th November.

Sir Austen stated in the House of Commons that no communications were passing between the British and Russian Governments through Norwegian or any other friendly Government concerning the Poland-Lithuanian situation. . There was nothing to prevent, the League communicating with Russia on the subject.