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

70 in front OF the Nasi Consulate in
v the recent GeT7na treaty..
dominated those regions they attempted
to link those two islands to the mainland
by q great dam. That, at the time, very
dangerous piece of engineering took
toll of 5000 human lives. It is said by
its population that the harbor was
cursed'ever since. 1t was there that Car
Nicholas met Emperor William II In 1912.
was speaking last April to an old in
habitant of the town, an old fisherman,
who told me at great length about old
times when seeing 600 boats anchored in
the harbor was Just an ordinary occur
renee. But last spring it was just little
forgotten town where life had almost
come to standstill. Pigs were wander
ing through the main thoroughfare and
the general impression one felt was that
of complete lack of activity of any sort.
My old fisherman, in spite of all that, did
not seem to be discouraged: he stub
bornly predicted the return of the golden
age to his town. Who at the time would
have thought that in few months his
prediction would come true? Because in
Port Baltic, as on the two great islands
on the West coast-Saaremaa and
Hiuumaa-the Russians are establishing
naval and air bases with combined gar
rison of $4,000 men. The little town has
become feverishly active.
Pending the completion of adequate
a etc in Dbl
Russian torpedo boats are anchored in
the harbor of Tallinn itself. while the
battleships and cruisers are lying out in
the bay. Incidentally, the Russians are
paying rent to the Estonian government
for the military bases put at their dis
posal. The concessions obtained by Rus
STA from Latvia and Lithuania are more
of a commercial nature. though military
bases have been established there, too
some of them heavily garrisoned as in
Libau in Latvia. The entry of the Soviet
troops into the bases assigned to them
by treaty proceeded in orderly fashion.
The Russian military mission. come spe-
cially to regulate the details of the trans
fer Of Russian troops to these towns, has
already left Tallinn, presumably to con-
centrate their efforts to similar tasks in
other territories.
Joint Celebration.
On November celebration of Rus
sian Estonian friendship took place to
emphasize the new relationship between
the two countries. Preceding it, the Es-
tonian generalissimo. Gen. Laidoner, had
expressed his thanks to the Estonian
Army and civil population for maintain
ing perfect calm during the entry of
the Russian troops into their new bases.
During the celebration at Estonia Hall,
q great hall that symbolizes Estonian
independence, and where many dramatic
events have had their setting, during the
first World War, members of the little
Estonian government were sitting side
by side with the representatives of
mighty Russia. During the reign of the
Cars it was forbidden to sing the Es-
tonian national anthem in that same
Estonia Hall. At the end of the cere-
monies on November Z. 1889, both the
Estonian and Russian hymns were
played. The Soviets want 1t understood
that they intend to respect the indie
pendent national life of their new
friends. Estonia has just lived critical
and dramatic moments, but she con-
tinues to hope that her freedom will not
be infringed on.
Even without being actually settled on
the Finnish coast the Finnish coastline
is at an average distance of 10 miles
from the new Soviet bases), the Soviet
practically dominates the entrances of
the Gulf Of Finland, the coast from the
German-Lithuanian frontier to Lenin-
grad and the entire Eastern Baltic export
trade, Of which the Estonian heavy oil
export, oil that is obtained from COM
bustible schistes possessed by Estonia in
large quantities ,000, 100000 tons-is
one of the most important features This
oil Is owned and produced partly by
the state and partly by British and
Swedish concessions.
Exports to Britain Cut.
Russia has also achieved practical
control over air travel to and from the
Baltic regions and over the transit trade.
The exports (mostly agriculturaD from
the Baltic to Great Britain have sharply
diminished, the greater part of it going
to Russia and Germany instead. Another
feature Of the Russian expansion toward
the Baltic is the fact that occupying the
Estonian islands brings Russian soldiers
within about 90 miles from Sweden.
Within the Baltic states life goes on as
usual since these countries know they
have to ind q modus vivendi with Soviet
Russia and can only hope that some day
Russian occupation will cease to just
have q military character and will be-
come q constructive factor in their eco
nomic lives.
And Germany? Well that is just where
matters have taken the most unexpected
turn. There is one predominant fact
that clearly shows the tremendous i'm
portance Of the new situation. Since
the beginning of the 18th century, Ger
many has been colonizing Baltic coun-
tries. The Catholic priests and German
knights came first. In later times they
were followed by the merchants Of the
great commercial Hansa organization
and still later came whole families from
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