Evening star., 1939-03-26

t the University Of Maryland
Lithuanians, since the population of the
rural district was predominantly Lithu-
anian, although that of the city itself was
predominantly German According to the
census of 1920 there were 69,261 Lithu-
anians and 1886 Germans in the whole
OF the Memel territory, which constitutes,
respectively, 1872 per cent and 496 per
cent, although today Lithuanian authori-
ties claim that the German population
there does not exceed 80 per cent. On
January Is, 1923, the Lithuanians seized
Memel In surprise attack and forced
the French garrison placed there by the
allies to surrender and to evacuate the
territory. Acknowledging the accom-
plshed fact, the Conference of Ambas-
sadors proposed that Memel should be
retained by Lithuania. In March, 1924,
a draft convention was offered to the
Council of the League of Nations. This
convention placed the Memel territory
under the sovereignty of Lithuania with
a clearly defined measure of administra-
tive and financial autonomy.
ASAssA ~ AP"SAACo SldSAs
This convention was accepted by all
parties concerned in May of the same
year. Unfortunately, racial hatred be-
tween the Germans and Lithuanians in
Memel prevented the smooth working
of the government. The first Landtag
elected in October, 1925, was composed
OF q Germans and 2 Lithuanians,
striking indication of the German SYM
pathies OF the population. The Lithu-
anlan government, alarmed at this sit
uation, attempted to restrict the enjoy
ment of the autonomy in order to lessen
German influence. In 1884, 538 German
employees of the territory were dismissed
and 126 Germans were tried for treason
before Lithuanian military tribunal.
BY an appropriation law of September 6,
1887, the Lithuanian authorities began
seizure of German land in Memel for
barracks and other public buildings with
out consulting the local authorities and
without assuring adequate compensation.
Such actions of the Lithuanian gov
ernment were no doubt prompted by a
desire to prevent Memel from retaining
its pre-eminently German characteristics.
But the result was unexpected as it led
to the formation of local Nazi party
headed by veterinarian by the name
OF Ernst Neumann, whose party today
is dominating the political scene in
Memel, having won the local elections
last December by an overwhelming ma
Jorlty. There is no doubt that had the
Lithuanian government not been guilty
OF violating at times the Memel conven-
ton, its position in regard to this terri
tory would have been much stronger
today. 1t is probably this realization
that prompted President Smetona and
his prime minister, Father Mironas, the
Catholic chaplain of the army, to bar
gain with Germany and accept what
seemed to be inevitable.
In its internal development as in its
foreign relations, Lithuania did not have
smooth sailing. At first the new re-
public adhered strongly to the democratic
principles as embodied in its constitu-
ton. But the loss of Wilma and the con-
f1ict with the allies concerning Memel
disappointed the Lithuanian people In
oANAeAoAA W CAlAo tAlC O111ClSllG
parties, each striving to achieve its own
ends instead of serving the national in.
terests of Lithuania, made the newborn
democracy a badly going concern. On
December is. 1926, group of followers
of Smetona' overthrew the government
by coup d'etat. and period of per-
sonal rule was instituted. A rump par
lament consisting of only 40 members
OF the Right elected AntanaS Smetona
President of the Lithuanian state. Two
years later a new constitution was
promulgated providing for a strong
executive in the person of the President
elected for term of seven years, and
representative body to great extent
subsurvient to the executive power. On
December II, 1881, Smetona was re-
elected as President of Lithuania for a
term of seven years. And last Decem-
ber he was elected again for another
similar term.
Smetona Is Popular.
Today President Smetona is without
doubt the most popular man in Lithu-
ania. He is the real father of his coun-
try, having worked relentlessly for its
upbuilding. His popularity is we'll de-
served. The fact that he has established
personal rule does not inhibit in any
way his democratic attitude toward the
people. His methods of administration
have so far withstood the test of time
and their results have been recognized
by the majority of Lithuanians as thor
oughly beneficial to the country. His
family life Is held by Lithuanians as an
example to follow. The people of Lithu-
ania by and large have profound conf
dence in his craftsmanship and revere
him as a ceaseless fighter for national
Lthuania and as a fearless leader in
these troubled times. There is little
doubt that he will take his place in his
tory side by side with the builders of
national states like George Washington
and Simon Bolivar In the past and
Pilsudski of Poland or Ulmanis Of LatviA
Of our own time.
Perhaps one Of President Smetona's
greatest achievements has been the con-
sohdation Of the national forces of Lith-
uania and the creation of a ell-trained
and well-equipped national army.
Though now 65 years of age, he has the
foresight to look to the time when the
younger generation will guide the des-
TIMES Of his country and his efforts to
give greater opportunities for the edu-
cation Of his people will stand as a per-
manent monument to his administration.