860m.48/2: Telegram
The Chargé in Denmark ( Osborne ) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received January 7—12:42 a.m.]
3408. Department’s 1312, December 31 [30], 4 p.m. Legation’s 3392, January 1 [3?], 2 p.m.34 Professor Woldemar stated food situation in Lithuania not bad if Germans did not send great quantities home; otherwise country could well support its own population and the army [of occupation.] Order and quiet prevail in general. Financial situation difficult, as Government faced with necessity of using either Russian rubles (to Bolshevik’s advantage) or German currency, hitherto specially issued for occupied eastern territories, unless it is possible to obtain loan in the United States.
Woldemar has been instructed to request that the Germans be induced to hold Jakobstadt-Divinsk-Molodecheno-Baranovichi line, maintenance of which is necessary for country’s defense against Bolsheviks; also to ask whether assistance can be expected in the shape of arms and if possible, troops, preferably Americans (perhaps of Lithuanian origin) which could be brought in through Libau. Woldemar makes a good impression and I am very much inclined to give credence to his reports, which check up with what information is at Legation’s disposition. Advisability of sending relief moneys evidently depends largely upon whether imminent danger of Bolshevist invasion is averted or becomes a fact. My informant told by Haase in Berlin that Germans would do utmost to keep Bolsheviks out of Lithuania, but seems to doubt greatly whether this can be depended on for long. Woldemar has requested information as to line of conduct his Government should purpose [pursue]. He is returning to Wilna but states that Lithuanian representative here [has] been acknowledged by Danish Government as representing de facto government, and is in cipher communication with Wilna. Repeated American Mission, Paris.
- Neither printed.↩