LITHUANIA

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 1 December 1927, Page 5

LITHUANIA

MILITARY REVOLT PREMIER WINS THE FIRST ROUND. REPORTED EXECUTIONS. [By Cable — Press Assn. — Copyright.] (Received 1, 9,0 a.m.) London, Nov. 30. The “Daily Mail’s” Riga correspondent reveals the comical side of the revolt at Kovno on Saturday. A regiment with tanks and armoured cars was concentrated in one of the fortresses. Officers, under Commandant Petrutis, sent an ultimatum to General Smetona and Professor Valdemaras, Premier of Lithuania, demanding their resignation. Professor Valdemaras then invited the officers to breakfast and discussed a bloodless capitulation at which he served to them quantities of vodka and champagne. They left the guests carousing and sought an old friend General Plehavichus, who gathered loyal flying officers and went to M. Valdemaras’ assistance. Peeping into the dining-room M. Valdemaras saw the guests drunk and loaded them into motor cars and Wok them to gaol. It is reported that they have already been executed and that M. Plehavichus has been reinstated Chief of Staff, but another mutiny is expected.—(A. and N.Z.)“NO WAR WITH POLAND.’’ (Received 1,8.5 a.m.) Riga, Nov. 30. Following meetings betw-een General Smetona, the President of Lithuania, and Professor Valdemaras, the Premier, and a number of officers and civil representatives, Professor Valdemaras announced that the Government will be reconstructed. He expressed the conviction that there would be no war with Poland and declared that the majority of the rumours circulating in Europe emanate from Russia.—(A. and N.Z.)