, 1922-08-04
Recognizing Baltic States

RECOGNITION Of Esthonia, Latvia and Lithuania
- by the Harding administration as independent
European states brings to an end a hard fought
struggle on the part of these little buffers between
Russia and Germany to obtain such recognition from
this nation. That they were repeatedly snubbed
by the Democratic administration. Notwithstanding
its clustering support of the principle of "self. deter.
mination,' and that they have been accepted into the
sisterhood of states by the Republican administra.
ton VIII not be forgotten by the million and a half
American citizens, born in those countries, or de.
seconded from those stocks. Although they are now
lunhyphenated American citizens, they appreciate the
fact that establishment of diplomatic relations with
their mother countries will facilitate communication
and transaction of business with relatives and
Friends abroad.
During the period 19ls1921 representatives of
these countries in the United States sought in vain
some encouragement from the Wilson administra.
ton. While the Democrats were in control of con-
lgress they paid little attention to that body, know
ing II TO be n rubber stamp outfit under the abso-
lutte control of President WILSON. They conferred
their attention ON him, and they had additional rea-
son for so doing business because of their credulity
III accepting his words at their face value.
In 1918 Mr.. WnGON exuded considerable gush con.
corning the rights of small nations" "This war"
said he TO congress, February IL, 1918, chad its roots
in the disregard of the rights of small nations and
of nationalities which lacked the union and the force
to make good their claim TO determine their own
allegiances and their own forms of political life
and he set forth as n part of his program for the
redemption of the world that peoples and provinces
are not to be bartered about from sovereignty to
sovereignty as if they were mere chattels and pawns
in a game" that 'every territorial settlement in.
Ivolved in this war must be made in the interest and
for the benefit of the populations concerned, and not
as a part of any mare adjustment or compromise
of claims amongst rival states; y and that "all we'll
defined national aspirations shall be accorded them.'
Naturally, after reading such declarations the rep
resentatives of the small states along the Baltic
looked to Mr.. WILSON as their champion. But he
turned them down with a sneer.
In the Republicans they found their real friends.
On December 10, 1918, Senator Lodge submitted a
resolution THAT in the opinion of the senate, Lith-
Uania should be separated from Russia and given
independence, and that the same right should be
extended to the Let's Uatvia) and to Esthonia. All
and their possessions on the Baltic coast make their
future freedom and peace of the world" On Sep
lican from New York, introduced resolutions pro
viding for the salaries of ministers and consuls to
the three countries. But the WILSON administration
blocked these moves. In that same year the senate
committee on foreign relations, Senator Lodge,
chairman, gave all these representatives a hearing
before the ommittee. On July q, 1922, HUGHES an
Inounced they had been recognized. This is the his
tory of their relations with the Republican party.
Throughout the entire period the Republican pub
Ilicity association has championed their cause, and
today the Republican party extends TO the Estk9A
ians, the Let's, and the Lithuanians its heartiese
congratulations that their native lands have been
recognized by the United States.