In acknowledging the receipt of the note, I am simply stating that a
copy thereof will be transmitted to the Department of State.
[Enclosure]
The Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs
(Meirovic) to the Secretary of State52
Riga, October 14,
1920.
No. T. 11711Excellency: The Government of Latvia,
after having attentively examined the note addressed by the
Foreign Minister of the
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United States to the Italian Ambassador in Washington,53 declares the
following:
The nations fighting for their liberty, independence and rights
have always looked to the Great American Republic hoping from
her if not a material support, then at least a moral one. The
conduct of the United States during the war did not but augment
their authority and moral influence; this attitude was crowned
by the 14 points of President Wilson, among which the point,
where it is spoken of the rights of people for
self-determination, does not occupy the last place as one of the
most just and generous principles that were highly proclaimed by
an eminent statesman.
The people of the Baltic States did not but put these high
principles into practice. Thanks to the devotion of their best
sons, the price of their sacrifices and their almost super-human
efforts, they have succeeded in founding their states, defending
them, maintaining order and a democratical organization against
the flood of anarchy which menaced for a long time to submerge
them, thus rendering at the same time a real service to the
civilization and democracy of the whole world.
The Government of Latvia states with joy that the Government of
the United States recognises the rights of Poland, Finland and
Armenia for a political independent and free existence in the
veritable limits of these countries which were once forcibly
annexed to the Empire of Russia, but have now liberated
themselves from the foreign yoke. The Republics of Esthonia,
Latvia and Lithuania have never willingly adhered to the Empire
of the Czars. On the contrary, these states have repeatedly,
even lately, manifested by the voice of their constitutional
assemblies elected on the most democratic principles of the
world, their unshakeable will to lead a political independent
existence, and their reintegration by force into the Russian
Empire would be a violation of the natural rights of people.
The Baltic States have never menaced the veritable limits of
Russia and have no hate for the Russian people 5 they do not
demand but to live in peace with their great neighbor putting at
his disposal their ports and their ways of communication.
Nevertheless, we are deeply convinced that even the most close
economical connections will not inevitably necessitate a
political federation, in this case a federation between the
Baltic States and Russia, which would have for its result the
oppression and slavery of the Baltic States.
Therefore their reintegration by force into the Russian Empire
would meet the most decisive resistance from their side, and
they
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would defend to
their last drop of blood their independence and liberty so
dearly bought. Their suppression by Russia would for many years
trouble the peace of Oriental Europe and would be a source of
inner feebleness for the old Empire of the Czars.
The Government of Latvia is persuaded that the aspirations and
efforts of this country are not sufficiently known by the
Government of the United States. Nevertheless, it knows that in
their policy the United States are always led by high moral
principles. The confidence which we always had for the Great
American Republic is not shaken, and we remain persuaded that
the Government of the United States will put the situation in
this part of Europe under a new examination and grant Latvia the
same principles of justice as were already granted Poland,
Finland and Armenia.
