THE BALTIC STATES
TREND OF POLICY AND A WARNING
AFTER RUSSIA REVIVES ("Westminster Gazotte"—Paris Correspondent.) One of the most ambitious and gigantic plans of the Germans was to construct a waterway from the Baltic to the Black Sea. It is strange that we have heard nothing of this project. It is one which, I W assured, is realisable without undue difficulty. It is'only necessary to look at the mop to see what an immense revolution would be accomplished economically if ft were possible to take decentsized ships by a river route instead of by way of the Dardanelles and the Mediterranean.
From the British point; of, view, as a shipping nation, the fact is 1, vastly important; and the question of Lithuania, which is now being studied by the. Con--1 feriince, gains a new interest. Think of I the great granary of the Ukraino thus brought nearer to us! I am, of course, unable to pronounce an expert opinion upon, the possibilities, but I am informed that by way of the Niemen, the Pripet. and the Dnieper, with the existing canals, it would not be too formidable a task to deepen the waterway to allow a steady traffic. At all events, the Germans sent armies, not only of soldiers but of engineers into these parts to roport upon the matter. Memel would thus become a great port, and the fact that it is likely to go to-Lithuania gives the delegation here great satisfaction. Roughly speaking, the' British policy is to encourage the Baltic States—Esthonia, Lithuania, and tho rest—to' link up eventually swith Finland, and to form a Baltic Confederation. I have been touched by the sentimental trust of these peoples in Great Britain. Are the small States viable? That is a question which only time can'answer. What is certain is that Germany is endeavouring to colonise in these regions. -Thero is no doubt about the desire for independence,- and I think that the de facto recognition will be made definitive. There are, however, many difficulties. Thus-France is rather concerned in the construction of a large. Poland, and Poland herself. makes claims which would take her well into the territory claimed by the- Lithuanian people, and would even absorb Vilna, their capital. I am informed that M. Paderewski is extremely sympathetic towards the Lithuanians, but how far his influence, which is 6aid to be waning, will carry weight may be doubted.
Incidents—and their Significance, A line was drawn by the Allies over which the Poles who occupy the southeast of the country were not to pass. There have been certain,incidents which make one wonder' if the Allies always .retain control of the, forces th'ey themselves aid. On the one hand "are the troops of General Haller which we assisted to Poland, and on the other the Lithuanians, to whom, I understand, Sir .Douglas Haig promised supplies; , It would be a pity if disputes were, to break out. Towards the north, the Bolsheviks threaten the,little land, while the Germans in the south-west are not disciplined and piling the country! observe the demand that more use should be made of tho Polish troops in these badlyknown regions, where we have no effective weapons,, but I nm able to say,that such a measure would not be nf. all to the taste of the peoples concerned. Thpy ask us for munitions which will enable them not to fight, for the sake of fighting, but to protect themselves. M. Muller has expressed recrret for tho behaviour of the German detachments, and professes that Germany has been the .nrincipal agent in creating some of these States. It is for us to. help them defend themselves against the''ngitations of von der Goltz, if necessary, and to take care that our policy does not mako the .Baltic provinces a prey to German politicians. The colonisation has been admitted in the Lett country, but Germany protests' that naturalisation " was ■promised" to " a}l" foreign troons. which wou,ld assist in the liberation of the territory. This naturalisation was of course, in order that they might settle down in the country. Now, 'according to'M. Muller, the Lett' Government treats as of no account the accords inado between Germany and those Stales which form part of the- old Russian Empire. They were done away with by the Treaty of Versailles. The troops, nevertheless, claim tracts of land, and if is doubtful if they will bs evacuated, especially from Coiirtand. There,is title doubt that we shall see an intensive Germnu colonisation spending round Poland, especially to the North.
When Russia Settles Down. On the other hand, in my conversations with • the fast authorised Lithuanians and others in Pnris, I have been assured of the deep dosiro of friendship ami'of'trade relations, with Great Britain. Lithuania is particularly rich in timber, ami from that point of ■ view alone is important; A diplomatic, gnmo which Miay ' have considerable consequences is being play-id for these States, and we must take care lest .we should, by treating the question' too lightly, be beaten. , AVe are witnessing in Russia the same phenomenon which marked the break-up of that other defeated country AustriaHungary. There-emerges from' the great Empire a number of small States. It is" our business to see, now that they are bom, that, they- should be encouraged and become our reaj friends. ■ There is, it should bo noted, no dislike of Russia as such on tho part of any of these surrounding ' States except, of course, on the part of Poland. The Poles are the only people who were incorporated in the 'Russian Empire who detest the Russians. There is no reason when Russia settles down again why they should 'not continue to be on the best of terms with their big neighbour. But it would be folly to allow them to be exploited by Germany.
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Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 21, 27 October 1919, Page 5
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966THE BALTIC STATES Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 21, 27 October 1919, Page 5
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