500.CC/4–345
The Lithuanian Minister (Zadeikis) to the Secretary of State 96
Sir: On several occasions in the past I had stressed in my communications to you the fact that Lithuania had always been a staunch supporter of collective security under the leadership of the League of Nations. Though the system of collective security had failed because of the internal weakness of the League, the soundness of the idea is still recognized by most nations, great and small, including Lithuania. My country, the victim of Soviet and Nazi invasions, while hoping for security supported by a new international organization, is at this very moment waiting with great anxiety for immediate remedy against the fear of extermination, as is evident from what happened in Lithuania in 194097 and in 1941,98 also during the prolonged Nazi occupation, and from Lithuania’s present situation when so many thousands are being driven eastward by the Soviet “liberators.” The saving of lives and the protection of the citizenship rights of approximately three hundred thousand Lithuanian deportees and refugees in Germany99 constitutes at present another important and urgent problem.
In this connection the following facts are worth recalling: first, when, on August 14, 1941, the Atlantic Charter1 was proclaimed, Lithuania was an axis-occupied country, and, therefore, the principles of the Charter were considered by the American Government to be fully applicable to Lithuania, and not to so-called Soviet Lithuania, the product of a land-grabbing policy; and second, about two weeks before the signing of the Declaration by the United Nations on January 1, 1942, Lithuania’s eagerness to organize her government-in-exile, and to join the Allied cause, was reported by this office (my note of December 18, 19412). I believe, therefore, that my country [Page 196] cannot be accused of neglecting tier fight for peace and freedom because of her absence from United Nations conferences in the past.
Lithuania wishes to be represented in appropriate capacity as a sovereign nation at the United Nations conference which is scheduled to convene on April 25, 1945, in the City of San Francisco, California, for the purpose of erecting a new edifice of peace and security. Lithuania, mindful of her position, and of the importance of the coming Conference, reserves the right to be spokesman on her own affairs, and rejects any attempt by any one who lacks legal authority to represent her at the Conference.
In conclusion I believe it is suitable to recall here President Roosevelt’s significant words:
“We are going to win the war and we are going to win the peace that follows.
“… in representing our cause, we represent theirs (the majority of the members of the human race) as well.”3
Under existing circumstances Lithuania can only hope that President Roosevelt’s words shall not fail to safeguard also Lithuania’s independence in accordance with the principles of the Atlantic Charter.
Accept [etc.]
- In a note of May 2 the Acting Secretary of State acknowledged receipt of the Lithuanian note (500.CC/4–345).↩
- For documentation on Soviet occupation of the Baltic States and their incorporation into the Soviet Union, see Foreign Relations, 1940, vol. i, pp. 357 ff.↩
- For the Department’s reply to Lithuanian note protesting against the invasion of Lithuania by Germany, see ibid., 1941, vol. i, p. 648.↩
- For documentation on Soviet-German agreements concerning resettlement of refugees, see ibid., pp. 119–122, 126, and 134.↩
- Joint statement by President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill, August 14, 1941, ibid., p. 367.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Address by President Roosevelt to the Nation, released to the press by the White House on December 9, 1941, Department of State Bulletin, December 13, 1941, pp. 476, 480.↩