New-York tribune., 1920-12-08
League Faces
Armed Clash
With Lithuania
Continued from pase sne)

Continued from pase sne)
basis Of peace with Russia, which thev
are anxious to bring about.
The trouble between the league and
Lithuania came to a head Monday. Po-
land and Lithuania had been left to
reach an agreement between them
selves on the boundaries Of the region
about Wilma in which plebsclte
should be taken to decide whether that
district should 60 to Poland or to Lith-
uanla. Voting on the question was to
take place in Geneva under the aus
plces Of the League of Nations. 1t had
been agreed that should the represen-
tatlves of the two nations fail to reach
an agreement the leagues international
plebl settle commission should settle the
question. These powers OF delimita-
ton fell, therefore, primarily on
Colonel Chardigny, whom the Lithu-
anIans accuse of working for the Poles.
The Lithuanian charges against
Chardigny are many. They assert
that they would long ago have thrown
General Zellgouski and his troop of
irregulars out of Wilma if the French
plebiscite comm ssioner had not pre-
vented such action. Therefore. the
Lithuaniars have been very desirous of
preventing Colonel Chardigny from tax
ing any part in srbitrating the dispute
over the boundary OF the plebiscite
area.
Protest Against Polish Demands
The storm broke when Poland sub
mltted to the Council demand for a
large increase in the size Of the area
IN which the pleDlscite was to be held
Ihe Poles suggested that as a method
Of Yoting. crowds gathered together
at different points could cast their
ballots in a body instead of going sing
~ to the polls. The Poles also in
sisted that, instead of disbanding Zell-
gouski's army, as had been intended
when the International army took
charge of Wilma, it should have the
option Of acting as local militia dur
ing the plebiscitc.
lhese demands brought violent OBJ
Jectlons from the Lithuanians. who saw
IN them also the possibility that Colo
mel Chardigny would be called upon
wee acceded to. From their point OF
fleW, the Lithuanians argue that frs,
their capital (Nilna) was taken away
from them by Polish troops: second,
theJ Nere prevented from throwing the
invaders out by force; third, the Lith.
uanlans we're maneuvered into having
nothing to cay about the plebiscite
which IS given into the hands OF the
Pol>s under Aeligouski and Of a com
mission ruled over by q military officer
belonging TO the army of nation allie d
with the Poles.
Summoned Before Council
The Lithuanian representation was
Simmoned be1ore the league Council
and III the presence Of former Pre-
mler Paderewski. OF Poland. he said
that the situation n Iithuania was
spch that he proposed for his govern
mont that tho plobiscitc at Wilma be
postponed. he aGdcd that nls gov
eminent desired thar the league should
not send an army 70 Lithuaria. Ht
gave as reasons fer his request til,
charges against Colonel Chardirnv
which have been made by his country
men.
President Nynans replied to Wolde
mar with som- heat, whereupon til,
Lithuanian delegate turned on tn.
league itself and declared tnat tn,
council vas not an impartial body, bu
closed assembly in the hands Of
few powerful countries Who were fight.
ing FOR Poland and the Allies, and who
for that reason, Gi6 not say anything
80 VpPoSloIOH 70 inc fptloN dcNaNuS.
A. the end Of q very lively seen,
Y oldemar reiterated his request tha
the league army should not 90 to Wilma
hymans ans wered That it was the Coun
clia ultimatum that Appropriations" fol
tie dispatch Of an International force
would not be stopped.
NO Forceful Step Taken
Despite President Kymans's dec.ara
ton, it is understood that no furtho
steps have actually been taken TO sen,
an army TO Lithuania Delegates fee
that there VIII be some difficulty il
reaching an amica6le settlement of tn,
dispute. They point out that this !
q historic occasion in that it is tn,
first time that q small nation has de
liborately accused the League of Ma
tions Of unfairncss and of aidino A.