I have the honor to add that a copy of the enclosed memorandum has been
forwarded to the American Embassy at Paris.
[Enclosure]
Memorandum6
The attention of the American and the Allied Governments is earnestly
invited to the flagrant violations of the conditions of the recently
established armistice which have been and are being committed by the
German army of occupation now preparing to evacuate Lithuanian
territory. These troops are now somewhat disorganized and in a state
of semi-revolt, their discipline being weakened. Instead, however,
of checking their excesses, both the military and civil authorities
tolerate and even encourage them. The pillage which, under the name
of requisitions, has devastated the entire land and reduced the
inhabitants to the direst poverty everywhere and, in places, to
absolute famine, visibly increase against the day of evacuation now
imminent. Not only are all foodstuffs unlawfully seized but also the
rolling stock of the railways; the very rails are torn up and all
telegraph and telephone materials are taken. The horses and cattle
actually in German possession, which
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were seized forcibly from the peasants and
proprietors and should be left in the country, are also being got
ready for transport into Prussia. Munitions and stores from the
forts are taken and, in the case of the greatest fortress in the
land, Kowno, built by the Russians, some twenty-five kilometres of
triple rows of iron fencing are being dismounted to be removed. This
fortress, left practically intact by the Russians, when they
retreated in 1915, is being, as far as possible, dismantled.
The ruinous destruction of the forests, one of the country’s chief
sources of wealth, goes forward, unhindered by the conditions of the
armistice and the protests of the people. All the steamboats and
other craft on the Niemen, the property of companies and
individuals, is likewise being taken into Prussia, and thus is the
country deprived of all means of transport.
If this robbery and destruction is not promptly stopped, the few poor
remnants of the country’s resources overlooked by the organized
plundering of the last three years, will disappear.
General Pershing has been appealed to, for a force of ten thousand
Lithuano-American soldiers. The way is open for transporting such a
force to Libau. Arms, ammunition and military stores sufficient for
a local militia force of twenty thousand men have also been
solicited from General Pershing.
The mere knowledge that such aid was at hand would encourage and
reinforce the law-abiding people and subdue the seditiously
inclined. These troops would restore tranquillity, maintain order
and discourage lawlessness, until such time as the Lithuanian
Government should be able to organize and to assume these tasks.
Meantime the German authorities should be required to observe in
good faith the terms of the armistice they have signed.
