Paris Peace Conf. 184.01502/32: Telegram
The Chargé in Denmark (Grant-Smith) to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
[Received May 21—9:40 a.m.]
379. Following from Greene, Libau: “38. Transmit following Paris: ‘Greene, 24, May 19. Have just returned from Lithuania. Military situation covered by separate telegrams and reports. Present provisional Lithuanian Government is organized, reasonably stable, deserve[s] military and financial support Associated Governments if latter will prevent threatened clash between Poles and Lithuanians. I sent Dawley and Hale to Warsaw for conference with our Legation regarding Polish-Lithuanian controversy. If Associated Governments will arbitrate matters, peaceful solution possible. In that case, immediate provision should be made for progressive arming and equipping present and increasing Lithuanian forces, now being 11,000 men of whom 8,000 have rifles but ammunition is failing and Germans refuse supply. If Germans forced withdraw they claim right remove all rolling stock, which will ruin country. Are Associated Governments in position supply rolling stock for Latvia and Lithuania, or require Germans leave sufficient? All railroads altered by Germans from former [Page 197] Russian broad gauge local standard gauge to standard gauge. All rolling stock is German, but we do not know how much is captured Russian rolling stock altered for gauge.
- 2.
- Needra captured by Lettish officers on 12th of May and made to sign abdication as Prime Minister which was published. Escaped on May 16th and again assumes to act as Prime Minister.
- 3.
- For Hoover. After considerable travel in interior Lithuania and Latvia I find food conditions in country districts usually fair to good but poor in cities and close to front. Ploughing and planting have made good progress and country should be able to feed itself after next harvest unless again overrun by Bolshevists. But larger acreage could be planted if more work animals and seed available. Therefore seeds are important but time is fast slipping by when they can be planted for this year’s harvest as the summer is short. As barley and oats are used for work animals their increased production or importation allows larger acreage to be ploughed and consequently believe Finland, Esthonia and Lithuania should receive seed provided immediate deliveries can be made. In Latvia it will be difficult until a government is formed. Above my personal opinions only. You have excellent men on ground in Brookings and Hollister. Wire me probable date Colonel Groome’s arrival Libau as important I see him before leaving here.
- 4.
- For Tyler. Corporal Saliunas wishes to stay with our mission. Has seen his family in Lithuania and is now with Dawley in Warsaw. Urge he be allowed remain with us which is his wish. Private Boefer arrived May 11. Send mail all members our mission overland to Libau via Berlin, not to Copenhagen. Greene.’ Greene.”