Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-11-12

lllinn, Estonta, to register, prepara-
Wide World Photo.
Danes, Scotch Catholic Immigrants who
left with the Stuarts, few Frenchmen
and Poles also found their way to the
Baltic.
All these immigrants formed an al.
most entirely German-speaking minor
ity. They came to own a great part Of
the industry and the banking business,
but were mostly land owners Up to 1918
they possessed enormous estates, like
that, for instance. of Count Kaiserling.
One of them who had the reputation Of
being an eccentric gave away a great
part of his land to Estonian families
who, following local economic depres-
sion. wanted to emigrate to America. An
other man, who happened to be Bap-
fist, gave away land to anybody who
would join his faith. He spent most Of
his time baptizing converts in the river
in an elaborate ceremony which he in
variably performed himself, seeming to
enjoy it great deal.
Germans Being Transplanted.
This Baltic minority is now being
transplanted by Hitler, who is settling
them around Gotenhaven, the former
Polish Gdynia. The German minority
in Latvia is being gathered around Pozen,
the former Polish Province of Poznan.
1t remains to be seen how these highly
individualistic people will adapt them
selves to the Third German Reich. Will
they not miss their ancient haunted cas-
ties, their traditions handed down to
them by many generations of proud an
Cestors who for centuries provided Dip
lomats for the Kings of Sweden and the
Cars of Russia?
Germany's sudden abandonment of her
traditional stand in the Baltic has deeply
surprised great many people. This re-
gion, that has been in the past the
northern part of Russia's historic battle
field where she fought her wars for ex-
pansion toward Europe. has always been
of vital importance to Germany. There,
Germany, Sweden and Denmark checked
Russia from invading Europe, just as she
fought Poland, Austria. Hungary and AL
bania against the Turks, hating the in
vasion Of the Ottoman hosts in the South.
Today 1t is for the first time that
Russia exerts her influence in the Baltic
states without opposition from any of
the major powers who up to now have
always frustrated her aims in that direc-
ton. Finland alone met the Soviet de-
mands with certain resistance.
Pattern In Diplomacy.
There is even in political events, that
a definite pattern that is closely follow
ing the fashion trends of today's totali-
tartan diplomacy. The totaitarian
powers do not seek alliances with other
great powers and they all try to reduce
the danger of their getting involved in
war with them to its strict minimum.
Only Germany is at war. They all have
this characteristic in common-that they
are always trying to expand toward the
side of least resistance, even if, as in
some instances, they have to completely
reverse their previous plans and aims.
To do this they seek to implant their in
fluence in the smaller states by the
~ SaOAOAA Va AAAAecA bdoCS. AL VIC 1lOl III
Russia directed its efforts toward the
Baltic countries and Finland, while Italy
and Germany acted in similar manner
in the south, Italy by selling Albania
after King Zog had refused to grant him
military bases in that country. Ger
many lquidated Czecho-Slovaha and
closely allied herself to the remaining
part of it, the state of Slovakia, build
ing military bases in that region.
There are great many things in life
that outlive the troubles they are caus-
ing. It is essential for the individual as
well as for the nation to be perseverant.
In the United States, which has set to
the world the greatest example of pio-
neering, this virtue is understood better
than anywhere else. But in Europe too
there are some nations who are eternal
pioneers. In Eastern Europe between
the Baltic and the Mediterranean you
will find quite few of them. A pioneer
has to be an optimist since otherwise he
would never have the courage for his
work that consists of toiling in the face
OF every hardship so the ones who come
later will follow the trail set by him and
will share better lot,
Sense Of Humor Helps.
Estopia has never been the spoiled
child OF history, but Estonians always
realized that no matter how hard the
blows they could not destroy their in
herent courage and perseverance that
was handed down to them from genera
ton to generation.
The admiration that the Estonian ma
ton has for Americas creative spirit
and marvellous traditions of liberty is
not lesser feature of the friendship
between the two countries than are the
many Estonians who have built their
homes in the United States and have
become its loyal citizens. Every five
years Estonia celebrates its National
Festival of Song, with $4,000 singers par
ticipating in great choir, and 1t is al
ways the American visitors who get the
warmest welcome.
To live in one Of the most important
squares Of the European chess board Il
an honor that sometimes can be made
bearable only to those who possess the
qualities Of patience and courage and
last, but not least, sense of humor
that will tide them through many . dark
hour.