Evening star., 1945-08-13
Letters to The Star
Minister Insists That Lithuania
Is Not Part of Soviet Union

Is Not Part of Soviet Union
To the Editor Of The Star:
For the sake OF accuracy and to avoid
any Misrepresentation of my conversa-
ton with your correspondent, Joseph
H. Baird, partially related by him in The
Star Of August 5. wish to correct At
least two instances where the reader
might conceive somewhat distorted
impression.
was quoted as saying, II still believe
that some change in the status of my
country may be worked out at the peace
conference" The word satisfactory
instead Of some" should have been used,
as Mr.. Baird. in summarizing my oral
statement, had referred to it: "a salts
factory settlement of their status might
be worked out at the final peace con-
ference"
Secondly, there was no mention of
the fact that huge numbers OF Lithu-
anian families were forced to abandon
their homes and to flee for safety not
only TO Sweden but mainly to nearby
East Prussia regardless Of the hostility
of German of1cialdom there, for there
was no other place to go, and because
they did not wish to be enslaved by the
"liberator." There are reports that
about 100000 persons have been up
rooted by the terrific Soviet-Nazi clash
in Lithuania In the autumn Of 1914. This
fact alone indicates a major disaster
that has befallen q small nation Of A.
100000. About halt of all displaced
Lithuanians is now under Soviet dicta-
torial rule while the other half has
entered the Jurisdiction of the demo-
cratic powers in Western Europe.
A battle-ground of war and a victim
OF double aggression, Lithuania cries out
for justice though her voice cannot be
heard aloud. The Lithuanian nation
simply refuses to accept the theory
(See editorial Russia and the Baltic in
The Star Of August A. that "Russia's 5 ac-
QUESTION Of the northern portion OF East
Prussia likewise implies Anglo-American
acquiescence in the Russian conten-
tion that Lithuania is organically part
OF the Soviet Union" As for your state
ment that the Baltic States were de-
clared incorporated into the Soviet
Union during the period Of Russo Ger
man accord, it appears incomplete with
out The mention that this declared in
corporation" was in fact an arbitrary
act of annexation as consequence
OF unprovoked aggression by the Soviets
against Lithuania on June IS, 1910, in
violation Of valid international treaties.
Moreover, this declared incorporation"
was based on mock elections which were
forced upon the people by the commits
sars, and which were controlled by the
Soviet secret police featuring q. single
Communist handpicked ballot while the
entire country was heavily occupied
by Soviet troops. Obviously such "elec-
tions", revealed only the desires Of the
invader and not the will OF the Lithu-
anian nation. Because of the obvious
injustice and OF protests against such
high-handed tactics, the statement on
behalf of the American Government
was issued on July 70, 1910. 1t reads
IN part: During these past few days
the devious processes whereunder the
political independence and territorial in.
tegrity of the three small Baltic repub-
lics-Estonia. Latvia and Lithuania-
were to be deliberately annihilated by
one Of their more powerful neighbors,
have been rapidly drawing to their con-
clusion. - The people Of the United
States are opposed to predatory activi-
ties no matter whether they are carried
on by the use OF force or by the threat
of force. They are likewise opposed to
any form Of intervention on the part Of
one state, however powerful. in the do
mestic concerns Of any other sovereign
state, however weak. . The United
States will continue to stand by these
principles. ="
The declaration. overwhelmingly sa-
luted by the American press. was clear
rebuke to such an unilateral act OF
Soviet dictatorship. On this declaration
rests the policy of the nonrecognition
of the annexation of the Baltic States.
and 1t is evidenced by the continued
recognition of the Baltic legations
which represent no "exiled regimes, !"
but are legal representatives of their
constitutional authorities of their re-
spective countries. There is nothing
anomalous about it, for 1t Is expression
OF American fair play and Of democratic
idealism. Therefore, the editorials pre-
sumption that both Washington and
London will soon end this diplomatic
anomaly in accordance with Russian
DESIRES" appears too drastic and unfair
not only to ithuania's rights but also
to American political philosophy, for
peace can best be served by making the
small nations happy and content and
not by inflicting upon them sufferings
or even by driving them out Of ex-
istence. P. ZADEIKIS,
Minister of Lithuania.