à J R Œ T f B S

LEAGUE OF F A TICES

Communicated, to Cotmoil and Members of the League

11/33765/15971*

G .32.11 .17 .1924 . VII,

F e b r u a r y 6 t h , 1924.

THE 2EKRIT0RY OF 2®;MEL<

F o te by th e k e c r e t e r y - G e n e r a l ,

'The f o l l o w i n g l e t t e r , d a t e d F e b r u a r y 4 t h , from the P r e s i d e n t o f the C on fe rence of A m bassadors , and the accompanying memorandum, a re communicated f o r the informa» t i o n of the C o u n c i l and the Members of the L eague .

IETTEB FROM TEE C OFFEREE CE CF AMBASSADORS

TO TEE SECHEIALY-GEESEAL.

P a r i s ,■ a i s l a t i o n , F e b ru a r y 4 t h , 1924.

S i r ,

The C o n fe re n c e o f Ambassadors has t a k e n n o t e o f the l e s o l u -

t i o n ad o p te d on December 1 7 t h , 1923, by th e C o u n c i l of the

l e a g u e of E e . t ions w i th r e g a r d to th e q u e s t i o n o f the t e r r i t o r y

and p o r t o f Memel, of th e m in u te s o f th e C ounc i l r s m e e t in g s a t

which th e m a t t e r was d i s c u s s e d , and o f the documents c o n t a i n i n g

the o b s e r v a t i o n s p r e v i o u s l y s u b m i t t e d by th e L i t h u a n i a n Govern­

m ent , th e m in u te s end documents r e f e r * e d to were s e n t to the

C onfe rence i n the S e c re te r i s t 1s l e t t e r o f December 2 0 t h , 1923 «

A f t e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f th e q u e s t i o n th e C onference d e c id e d

t h a t i t was bound, as r e ç u e s t e d i n th e C o u n c i l Ts r e s o l u t i o n to

r e p l y to th e o b s e r v a t i o n s s u b m i t t e d by t h e I i t h u a n i a n Government,

some o f which a r e ' l i k e l y to g iv e en i n a c c u r a t e i d e a of th e a c t i o n

taken by th e A l l i e d P o w e r s . You w i l l f i n d the r e p l y a t t a c h e d

h e r e t o . I n p r e p a r i n g i t the C o n fe re n c e had o n ly one aim, v i z . ,

to h e l p - ' t h e ~wori e f ^the^^eiinnij3Sd£ft:Ly.^whieh -th.e''~Council o f the

League o f IT a t i o n 3 h a s d e c i d e d to e r e s t i t u t e .

The C onxerence i s s i n c e r e l y a n x io u s f o r the s u c c e s s of the

ïioaçue o f N a t i o n s r e f f o r t s and w i l l do e v e r y t h i n g .so f s r a s i t

i s c o n c e r n e d , to f a c i l i t a t e th e work o f the Commission towards

a r a p i d r e ~ e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f s norm al s t a t e o f e f f s i r s i n Momel

T e r r i t o r y * The C on fe re n c e h a s n o t e d more e s p e c i a l l y the t tho

o b j e c t of t h e C o m m iss io n 's work i s ” to p re p a re w i t h i n the

s h o r t e s t p o s s i b l e p e r i o d a d r a f t c o n v e n t io n in c o n fo rm i ty w i t h

the p r i n c i p l e s o f the d e c i s i o n o f F e b r u a r y 1 6 th . I f t h i s

s e n te n c e wore ne a n t to convey t h a t the scheme r e s u l t i n g from th

d i s c u s s i o n s o f the A l l i e d Powers d id n o t m eet t h i s c o n d i t i o n , t

C on fe rence would f e e l 'bound to i n t i m a t e t o the C o u n c i l of the

League o f ^ é t i o n s i t s s u r p r i s e a t such a p o i n t o f view» The

C o n f e r e n c e , i s , h o w ever , c o n v in c ed t h a t t h e r e s o l u t i o n o f

December 1 7 th was o n ly i n t e n d e d to i n d i c a t e t h a t the work of

the Commission a p p o i n t e d by the C o u n c i l would be to d i s c o v e r

s o l u t i o n s u n on which s g r eomen t c o u ld be

th e d e c i s i o n o f F e b r u a r y 16 on rh;

hed w i t h i n the l im i t s

. v, <*■< -? ~V~i V" f "I—, A st■ ub -L J i v V111- C Lj.

! "h fî -y>o -P f p r r n r ^ r i* *, m i rî y-q™-y~, -h t* "K tt f.V. a O 'Vto c c~ rr- T •'* -x i*7*“* t.; T û î o f ' f . û / 3. T . vX ai. ,j_ Li Vv V tu- Lj. u i- V J.i. -v- J. CL 4<. .1 L- lUi. v xV-t-a. u. V .1. O Le o * * , J O -f <.■ uC u.■ r> 0 Li j. u U C Y3 ' ■f-'5' e x a i e n t î

j "n nrriufci uu0 a s s i s ü m overcoming : i eu 1 t i e s the

C onfe rence t h o u g h t f i t , i n t h e o b s e r v a t i o n s which you w i l l f i n d

a t t a c h e d 5 to draw a t t e n t i o n to c e r t a i n a l l e g a t i o n s and v iew s e x ­

p r e s s e d in th e L i t h u a n i a n Government r s Memorandum o f E eve mb or

2 4 t h ,1923 , and i n M. d a l ^ a n a u s k a s y l e t t e r o f December 1 1 t h , 1503,

communicated t o i t 0:1 th e S e c r e t a r i a t o f the League o f N a t i o n s ,

The documents a l r e a d y s s n t by the Confe rence to th e C o u n c i l make

i t u n n e c e s s a r y to g i v e a com ple te a c c o u n t o f the Heme 1 q u e s t i o n ;

V VJ.1 ju t.nr. r o r e n c e h a s a c c o r d i n g l y a t te m p te d to r e s t r i c t i t s c b s e r v

tiens t o e s s e n t i a l "Points and to r e f r a i n from e n t e r i n g i n t o con

t r o v e r s i ■"■Vi rh wou*‘d n r o h a b l : ' compromise th e sue-gos3 ox th e

v*C"v y'v.■) te- n. t p'rp’uo h'". u n d o r tv k e n âne whc."- « t.ue y.l^.iuu.* * J. 4.X. V‘< V/Ij. wi- ij’w- U.y-. V ■»— —" ■--- —- -*• *Powers hope . w i l l s u c c e e d ,

fb ianea ) MudUAnjii.

- o -^ans la t ion^ .

F e b r u a ry 4 t h , 1924,

OBSERVATIONS on th e Memorandum. a o n t on November 24 t h , 3.923,

ijy the L i t h u a n i a n Government t o th e Council o f the League, &nd

on the l e t t e r a d d r e s s e d "by Me G-ALVAMU'SKAS to the Council

on December 1 1 th . 192-3.

The L i t h u a n i a n Government* s o"bserva t ions on th e d r a f t

Convention p r e p a r e d "by the C onfe rence o f Ambassadors a r e

contained i n a l ienor an dur: d a t e d Not e n t e r 84 t h , 1925„ and i n a

le t t e r from M. GALVANAUSKAS d a te d December 1 1 th o f the

gaire y e a r . Some o f the t^ f rb se rv a t io n a d e a l w i th t h e hi s t o r y o f

’ïerel b o th b e f o r e th e a r m i s t i c e and s i n c e November 1 1 th , 1918,

nn to the d e c i s i o n o f F e b r u a r y 1 6 th , 1923 ; th e o t h e r s a r e a

c r i t i c i s m o f t h e d r a f t C o nven t ion drawn up by th e A l l i e d Powers «

Although th e C onfe rence does n o t b e l i e v e t h a t any u s e f u l

purpose c o u ld be s e r v e d by a h i s t o r i c a l d eba te which cou ld only

o o r p l ic a te the d i s c u s s i o n s , i t t h o u g h t i t i m p o s s ib l e to a l lo w

some o? th e L i t h u a n i a n Government’ s rem arks to p a s s w i th o u t a

reply..

I . HISTORY 0? M5MEL,

I t i s n o t d e s i r e d to d i s c u s s t h e h i s t o r i c a l s k e t c h g iv e n

in the L i t h u a n i a n Memorandum; i t s h o u ld however, be o b s e rv e d

"that, n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g th e a l l e g a t i o n t h a t Memel T e r r i t o r y h a s

from ’’t ime im m em oria ln fo rm ed an i n t e g r a l p a r t o f L i t h u a n i a ’ s z

h e r i t a g e , t h e i n h a b i t a n t s o-f t h e town o f Memel a r e e n t i r e l y

German-speoking, and t h a t the town i t s e l f i s o f German o r i g i n ,

63 i t was founded by th e Order o f the ICnights of th e Sword,

I'here can f u r t h e r be no q u e s t i o n t h a t Memel was p re d o m in a n t ly

German i n s e n t i m e n t up t i l l th e war ; a lm o s t a l l the i n h a b i t a n t s

were L u t h e r a n s , w h i l s t t h e i r n e ig h b o u r s th e L i t h u a n ia n s were

-4- '

Catholics# Fhese f a c t a vroulâ have g iv e n a d e q u a te r e a s o n s f o r

the A l l i e d r o w e r s , f^ho tocic c a r e , in t h e t r e a t i e s c o n c lu d ed

a f te r th e w a r , t o s e c u r e to n a t i o n a l m i n o r i t i e s , w he the r o f

speech, r a c e o r r e l i g i o n , s p e c i a l g u a r a n t e e s p l a c e d i n the s a f e

keeping o f th e League o f N a t i o n s , ) n o t to a l l o w Memel T e r r i t o r y

to be t r a n s f e r r e d p u r e l y and s im p ly to L i th u a n ia *

I I , HISTORY 0? IffMSL lOOM THE À-HMI3T105

TO :?i733HïïA3.'i?t I9^3„

a) The L i t h u a n i a n Goyor.nm.ent m a i n t a i n s t h a t the r e a s o n

why the Peace C o n fe re n c e d id n o t a l l o c a t e Memel to L i t h u a n i a

id t h a t in 1919 L i t h u a n i a had n o t been r e c o g n i s e d da j u r e ,

This s t a t e m e n t i s i n a c c u r a t e , L i t h u a n i a was a t t h a t p e r i o d

hardly even in c o u rs e o f f o r m a t i o n ; she had no f r o n t i e r s , and

her p o l i t i c a l c h a r t e r had n o t been d e t e r m i n e ! . The s ta tem ent , i n

the r e p l y from th e A l l i e d Powers to the German d e l e g a t i o n d a te d

-June 1 6 t h , 1919, to t h e e f f e c t t h a t Memel i s t h e ITo;o2y sea o u t l e t

for L i t h u a n i a ” i s m ere ly i n t e n d e d to convey t h a t Memel i s the

o u t l e t o f th e e n t i r e "basin o f t h e Niémen, more e s p e c i a l l y o f the

Grodno and V i l n a d i s t r i c t s , which have a t c e r t a i n t im es i n t h e i r

h i s t o r y been L i t h u a n i a n , b u t have s in o e beooïae P o l i sh »

h j The L i t h u a n i a n Memoranda a t t e r p t to make o u t t h a t the

i n t e r - a l l i e d a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f th e T e r r i t o r y h as been c a r r i e d on

mainly i n f a v o u r o f th e German e le m e n t , w hereas th e i n h a b i t a n t s

whom t h e s e documents te rm "Germans i n h a b i t i n g th e T e r r i t o r y ” a r e ,

in p o i n t o f f a c t v G erm an-sneak ing p e r s o n s o ? Memel o r i g i n » The

i n t e r - a ' l l i e 1 a d m i n i s t r a t i o n h a s c o n s i s t e n t l y a t t e m p t e d to g o v e rn

the T e r r i t o r y by r e c r u i t i n g th e g r e a t e s t p o s s i b l e number c f

o f f i c i a l s on th e s n o t . I t was f o r c e d to lo o k f o r t h e s e o f f i c i a l s

amongst th e German—s p e a k in g p o p u l a t i o n , a s the L i t h u a n i a n —

sueakinsr i n h a b i t a n t s were m ain ly p e a s a n t s w i th i n s u f f i c i e n t

education to form th e s k e l e t o n o f an a d m i n i s t r a t i v e s e r v i c e

r/ithin a few m o n th s . For t h e sar.e r e a s o n s the;/ were o b l ig e d

to keep p e r s o n s o f G e r ran o r i g i n on th e s t a f f o f o f f i c i a l s ,

a lthough th e i n t e r - a l l i e d , a d r i n i - s t r a t i o n made e f f o r t s to

reduce t h e i r mrmhors g r a d u a l l y and to l o e s e n hy d e g re e s th e

■bonds a t t a c h i n g t h e T e r r i t o r y to G e r r a n y . There i s no

ground f o r th e v iew t h a t the Hemal D i r e c t o r a t e has p u rsu e d

a Pan-German p o l i c y = The moment i t r e a l i s e d t h a t , Memel

le tached from Germany, w i t h no f u r t h e r f e a r o f c o m p e t i t i o n

froc. K S n ig s h e rg , and r e s t o r e d to h e r t r u e p o s i t i o n a s o u t l e t

of the h a s in o f t h e Niémen, c o u ld e n jo y a p r o s p e r i t y h i t h e r t o

unknown to h e r .

The D i r e c t o r a t e to ok more a c c o u n t o f th e c o u n t r y 1s

economic i n t e r e s t s , t h a n o f p a t r i o t i c m em or ies„

—6—

c] The srgraisat in Ihs Id.th22m.la12. me-norcjida th a t

tho p o l ic y Of Ltili"' :,ig Masol a Iroo 01 t y , at any xato fo.t?

a eoris»It?, number c£ y ë a r n , was inlcraded t o v j j i i l i t a t o t 2s

r a u n lc z i <cf kemol va.sh Germany-}, i s a c c o r d i n g l y isteo-crcrafce;

th e i d o a o f a '^ ree C i t y ? s s "based on t h e es amp l e o f Paz is ig ,

•2 he p e o p le o f Momol sxo rauoh l e s s oacu p ied "by th o thougB

of r n a n l o n w i t h Germany t h a n "by t h e f n a r of. a n n e x a t io n

t o L i t h u 9 .nl3 ,„

d) tUho L i t h u a n i a n Government s t a t e s t h a t t h e t r a n s i t

a n t i c r . im posed 'by t h e i n f c o r ^ a l l i o d amd.niarbrotioxi i n th o

T e r r i t o r y a r e s c h o a ry bnat the Ccv^rrment h a s boon

o b l i g e d to d i v e r t com m erc ia l t r a f f i c to M b a u r

KoenigsDC2?g0 ffhero i s no ground f o r t h i s s t a t e n c n t „

l'ho i n t e r - a l l i e a a d m i n i s t r a t i o n cou ld n o t adop t a p o l i c y

which c o n f l i o t o d w i th the most d i r c o t i n t e r e s t s of a

c o u n t y r f t r a n s i t ? i t a t t e m p t e d t o d e v e lo p Memelr s

com m erc ia l r e l a t i o n s i n o v e r y p o s s i b l e way; t h o o n ly

customs d u t i e s w h ia h i t im posed wore su c h a s were

i n d i s p o n s a b lo t o o b t a i n a h a l a r o c i n the b u d g e t , anti

tV. antes t o t h i s rûgimo t h e p r o s p e r i t y of the T e r r i t o r y

h as s t e a d i l y inoroaBCd» By 1922.. t h o f i n a n c i a l

p o s i t i o n was Eraff i o ierrfelLy - good t o e n a b l e th e T e r r i t o r y to

c o n t r i b u t e to "the c o a t s of th e iafeo r - a l l i e & - a d m i n i s t r a t i o n

and t o ’j o n tc m p la to tho p o s s i b i l i t y o f h e a r i o g a

sh a ro o f tho e x p e n s e s of the- m i l i t a r y o c c u p a t io n » I t

must he a d m i t t e d t h a t tho p e s i t i o n changed d u r i n g 1922„

Msmcl t h e n e x p e r i e n c e d an economic c r i s i s , f o r which.

L i t h u a n i a was l a r g e l y r e s p o n s i b l e . . By c l o s i n g th o

f r o n t i e r be tv/eon L i t h u a n i a and Memel and i n t e r ­

r u p t i n g t i m b e r - f l e a t i n g on the LTieman,

upon the p r e t e x t t h a t L i t h u a n i a was i n a s t a t e o f war

w i th P o l a n d , t h o L i t h u a n i a n Gove r a i e n t i n f l i c t e d s e v e r s

damage upon the t l a t e r i n d u s t r y I n the T e r r i t o r y ,

f o r e x a m p le , i t f o r c e d i m p o r t e r s to d i v e r t t im b e r nought

i n th e Grodno r e g i o n v i a T i l s i t , "by t h r e a t e n i n g t o

p a r a l y s e c o m p l e t e l y t h e numerous s a w - m i l l s i n the

T e r r i t o r y , T h is was fo l lo w e d "by th o c o l l a p s e o f the

mark and s u b s e q u e n t l y by t h e L i t h u a n i a n i n s u r r e c t i o n ,

which p a r a l y s e d a l l economic a c t i v i t i e s at, Ivlemel, These

f a c t s a r e so w e l l e s t a b l i s h e d t h a t d i s c u s s i o n s c a n s

s r p e i ' f I tlouS o

o ) The L i t h u a n i a n Government th row s doub t upon th e

va lue of the s t a t e m e n t s made by t h e Commission o f E n q u i ry

s e n t by t h e Conference t o Kernel = I t i s n o t f o r th e

C on fe re n c e t o e n t e r i n t o a d i s c u s s i o n cn t h i s p o i n t ,

b u t i t muet f o r m a l l y u p h o ld t h e term s o f th e R e p o r t i n so

f a r a s r e g a r d s th e e v e n t s which t o oh p laO a i n tho T e r r i t o r y ;

i t f u r t h e r p o i n t s cut t h a t the L i t h u a n i a n Government h a s

made no r e p l y c o n c e r n i n g any of t h e p r e c i s e f a c t s r e c o r d e d

i n the R epor t»

I t may be added t h a t , i f p e r s o n a g e s o f n o t e i n th e

T e r r i t o r y havo d u r i n g th e p a s t 3-e a r to a c e r t a i n e x t e n t

eeome r e c o n c i l e d t o t h e L i t h u a n i a n G overnment , t h i s han

c n ly been as a r e s u l t o f d e s p a i r o f w in n in g t h e i r c a se

and a f t or r e a l i s i n g t h a t i t was i m p o s s i b l e t o o b t a i n a

reg im e o f complote in d ep e n d en c e f o r Memel„ The i n i t i a l

n e g o t i a t i o n s w h ic h to ok p l a c e b e f o r e th o C onfe rence

of Ambassadors c o n t a i n a b u n d an t p 1 0 of t h a t t h o s e p e r s o n s

f e l t a p p re h e n s i o n a t the e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f tho L i t h u a n i a n

reg im e i n Meme 1 0

d .

111 " GF DR AFT Crm'EUTlΠ*

^gTv,eniGnt ii/as s u c c e s s f u l l y x eaciisd between the Confer once

and tuo -L i thuan ian G0 v bxnmcnt on s. l a r g e numher of a r t i c l e s

of tho dr a f t C o n v e n t io n , h u t d i f f e r e n c e s of op in ion s t i l l

e x i s t on a rnsabor of p r o v i s i o n s to which th e 0 onfoxencc

a t t a c h e s s p e c i a l imp o r t a n c c «

A r t i c l e g , p a r a g r a p h 9 . ( S to c k Exchange 2 o r a l .it ion s ) ,

n’IiO C onfe rence c o n s i d e r e d t h a t the L i th u a n ia Govern­

ment s h o u ld !:come to an ag re e m e n t" w i t h the Kernel T e r r i t o r y

and s h o u ld n o t m e re ly 11 con s u l t / '"1' the Tor r î t c ry i n m s t t f - rs

co n n ec ted w i t h t h e S to c k Exchange R e g u l a t i o n s , C r e d i t

E s t a b l i s h m e n t s end- I n s u r a n c e . In economic .end f i n a n c i a l

m a t t e r s Kernel h a s , a s e r u l e , r e a c h e d a much more advanced

s t a g e o f deve lopm ent t h a n L i t h u a n i a , and t h e r e w o u ld ,

t h e r e f o r e he s e r i o u s d i f f i c u l t i e s i f t h e v iews of th e Koyno

Government on th o s e m a t t e r s were to ho g iv e n p r e f e r e n c e to

t h e w ish e s of b u s i n e s s c i r c l e s a t Kernel.

Ar t i c le 56 (Kl gh t s of Inn ov a hh e Prop s r ty ) „

The A l l i e d Governments were a u t h o r i s e d to i n s e r t i n

th o C o n v e n t io n a p r o v i s i o n by w hich f o r e i g n e r s sho u ld e n jo y ,

w i th o u t r e s t r i c t i o n , the r i g h t to a c q u i r e immovable p r o p e r ty »

By r e s t r i c t i n g t h e f r e e oxe r e l s e of t h i s r i g h t fo r a p e r i o d

of t h r e e y e a r s , an i m p o r t a n t c o n c e s s i o n was made to the

d e s i r e s of L i t h u a n i a , a t any r a t e i f he r idea was m e re ly

to p r e v e n t s p e c u l a t i o n . The L i t h u a n ia n Governm ent 's r e q u e s t

fo r t h e d e l e t i o n o f th e words "b e a r i n g the c h a r a c t e r _cf

i l l i c i t spe c u la t io :o,T c a n n o t , t h e r e f o r e , he a l lo w e d , as i t

would i n p r a c t i c e g ive t h e L i t h u a n i a n Gcvernmerv e n t i r e

freedom t o a c t i n w h a te v e r wey i t p l e a s e d . A l l t h a t c o u ld

to a c c e p t e d w ould "be t h a t the r i g h t s of f o r e i g n e r s in

r e s p e c t o f immovable p r o p e r t y s h o u ld "be r e s t r i c t e d on o the r

gr o u n d s .

G• a r t i c l e s 38 and 59 and Anne_xe_d_Pr otno o l .( F r e e d cm of Tr ans it~) .

The L i t h u a n i a n Gcvornment m a i n t a i n s t h a t the annexed

P r o t o c o l which i t i s «sked t o s i g n f o i l s o u t s id e t h e scope

of t h e D e c i s i o n of F e b r u a r y IG th , 19£3, Yet t h i s P r o t o c o l

i s e s s e n t i a l t o g iv e e f f e c t t o t h e p r o v i s i o n s o f t h a t

D e c i s i o n , which l a y s down t h a t b e f o r e t h e s o v e r e i g n t y of

Heme 1 i s t r a n s f e r r e d t o L i t h u a n i a t h e r e must be e s t a b l i s h e d

"an o r g a n i s a t i o n of f reedom e f s e a , r i v e r and land t r a n s i t ,

due r e g a r d b e i n g p a i d t o the i n t e r e s t s o f the L i th u a n ia n

and P o l i s h d i s t r i c t s f o r which Kernel i s the n a t u r a l o u t l e t " .

So lo n g as com p le te f reedom of t r a n s i t does n o t

e x i s t b e tw een T i l n a a n d Iiiemel, t h i s c o n d i t i o n , n e c e s s a r y

as i t i s f o r t h o a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e C o n v e n t io n , w i l l n o t be

f u l f i l l e d . C o n s e q u e n t ly , i f f reedom of t r a n s i t i s d i s t u r b e d

A r t i c l e s 33 and 39 o f t h o B a r c e lo n a C onven t ion , though they

w i l l be a p p l i e d , w i l l n o t s u f f i c e to a s s u r e r e a l freedom

o f t r a n s i t as r e q u i r e d by t h e D e c i s i o n of F e b r u a r y 1 6 th ,

The L i t h u a n i a n memorandum a rg u e s t h a t th e r e a re a t

p r e s e n t no r a i l w a y l i n e s be tw een t h e r e g io n of V i ln a a nd

Kernel and d e c l a r e s t h a t t h e p r o v i s i o n s o f th e P r o t o c o l

r e g a r d i n g f reedom of l a n d t r a n s i t a r e of no p r a c t i c a l

im p o r ta n ce <, T h is .a rg u m e n t , however , i s n o t a v a l i d one »

At t h o p-' e s e n t moment, p a s s e n g e r s and goods p r o c e e d i n g from

P o land t o Kernel-are o b l ig e d t o u se t h e German r a i l w a y s

and t r a v e l v i a K O nigsberg ; i f , t h e r e f o r e freedom of t r a n s i t

i s n o t a s s u r e d , t h e L i t h u a n i a n a u t h o r i t i e s may p r o h i b i t

t h e s e p a s s e n g e r s and gor-ds from e n t e r i n g Kernel T e r r i t o r y

v i a T i l s i t . K or e over , even i f t h e F i e men i s on ly n a v ig a o l e

a t c r e s e n t a s f a r as Kcvno, i t must n o t be f or g o t t e n t h a t vhc

1 0 . ,

r i v e r i s n a v ig a b le f e r r a f t s es. f a r up as tîroâBC, Ifc

should. . t h e r e f o r e be s t i p u l a t e d t h a t f r e e d of r i v e r

t r a n s i t shou ld be a s s u r e d ,

A r t i c l e 4 1 ( Ada i n i s t r o t ion of tho P o r t ) ,

T'.uo ia.th.uan i a n nieiaorand. "urn o b j e c t s to th e p ro p o s a l s

\wi t h r e g a r d t u the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of th e P o r t , Never-

t n e l e 32, un d e r tiie te rm s of t h e D e c i s i o n o f F e b ru a ry

1 6 th , the- A l l i e d kovernm ents a r e e n t i t l e d to l a y down

t h e c o n d i t i o n s under n h i o n t h e P o r t of Hemol .is t o be

a d m i n i s t e r o d , and even t o l i x i t L i t h u a n ia n s o v e r e i g n t y i n

t h i s r e s p e c t . A l though the C onference a g re e d t h a t th e

a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of th e P o r t s h o u ld n e t l e e n t r u s t e d to a

Harbour B oa rd , I t n e v e r t h e l e s s c o n s i d e r s i t n e c e s s a r y be

s p e c i f y t h a t t h i s a d m i n i s t r a t i o n s h o u ld be c a r r i e d on by

t h e l o c a l a u t h o r i t i e s a t kernel and n o t by the Kovno

Government, Ib should, be borne i n mind t h a t the

p r o s p e r i t y of t h e T e r r i t o r y , and in d eed i t s v e ry e x i s t e n c e

depends i n p r a c t i c e on t h e s a t i s f a c t o r y a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of

t h e p - , r t , I t i s t h e r e f o r e e n t i r e l y r e a s o n a b le t o a s h t h e

t h i s a d m i n i s t r a t i o n s h o u ld he i n t h e hands of th e

r e p r e s e n t a t i v e a of th e j.x i n e i p a l i n t e r e s t s a t s t a k e „ I t

i s a l s o t o t h e i n t e r e s t of i n t e r n a t i o n a l tirade and

n a v i g a t i o n t h a t the p o r t sr iould oe p r o p e r l y managed, and

i t i s d i f f i c u l t t o s e e how th e i n t e r v e n t i o n o f a kovno

M i n i s t r y > which by t h e v e r y f o r c e of c i r c u m s ta n c e s

u a m o t have any wi do e xp er i enc e of m ar i r im e QUun c io n s ,

c o u ld p r o v i d e t h e g u a r a n t e e s v/hion may jus'GifaubJ.y be

c la im e d i n tixxs r e s^eo vg

Cl-

-11-

On th e o t h e r hand , a s th e L i t irnanian Government w i l l

b o a s f i t v e ry g r e a t l y "by th e P o r t , i t i s only r i g h t t h a t i t sh o u ld

take i t s s h a r e in i t s upkeep and improvement.

A r t i c l e 41 was i n s e r t e d f o r t h i s p u rp o s e , in view of the

fee t t h a t t h e Mem e l a u t h o r i t i e s had i n f e r r e d th e Confe rence

that the r e s o u r c e s o f the T e r r i t o r y would n o t he s u f f i c i e n t »

The L i t h u a n ia n GO v ern re n t c a n n o t d e c l i n e to t a k e any sh a re i n

the developm ent o f t h e P o^ t m e re ly "because i t s a d m i n i s t r a t i o n

remain 3 i n t h e hands o f the ar. c h o r i t i e s o f tho Hem e l T e r r i t o r y ;

Eûreover, "by so d o in g , th e L i t h u a n i a n Government -youId he

a c t in g c o n t r a r y to i t s own obv ious i n t e r e s t s ,

e « A r t i c l e 4 2 *. ( Du t i es o f t h e S u p e r v i s o r y CommitteeK

The L i t h u a n i a n memorandum, p r o p o s e s to e s t a b l i s h , i n p l a c e

of the reg im e p r o v i d e d by th e C o n fe re n c e , a p u r e l y a d v i s o r y

body which would have no means- o f s e c u r i n g t h e a d o p t io n o f i t s

views i n q u e s t i o n s r e l a t i n g to the Port . , The D e c i s i o n o f

'February l o t h , how ever , l a y s down t h a t the P o r t of Hem.el s h o u ld

oe p l a c e d un d e r an economic a d m i n i s t r a t i o n which w i l l c o n t r i b u t e

to i t s developm ent and which, w i l l p r o v i d e every g u a r a n t e e t h a t

the L i t h u a n ia n and P o l i s h d i s t r i c t s c o n c e rn e d w i l l be g iv e n a t

tha t P o r t th e n ecessa - 'v com m erc ia l f a c i l i t i e s . I t i s c l e a r t h a t

the L i t h u a n ia n n r o n o s a l f a l l s f a r s h o r t o f f u l f i l l i n g th e

cond it ions a c c e n t e d by the L i t h u a n i a n Government.

-12-

^ * A r t i c l e 4 £ B (P o l i s h r e p r e s e n t a t i o n en t h e

S u p e r v i s o r ? C/cmmittog>,

The L i t h u a n i a n memorandum r e p e a t s t h a t the

P o l i s h me znbe r s of t h e Committee i s t o be a p p o in t e d Id y t h o

P o l i s h (yOvermron'G, a n d t h i s s t a t e m e n t a l s o o c cu rs i n t h e

o th e rw is e T o r y a o c u r a t e g e n e r a l s t a t e m e n t c f t h e q u e s t i o n

p r e p a re d by t h e Sec r e t & r i a t ô£ t h e League of N a t ions « I n

p o i n t o f f a c t Art in l e 4.8 m e r e ly s t a t e s t h a t t h e appo in tm en t

cf tho P o l i s h member w i l l bo n o t i f i e d by t h e P o l i s h Government

t o t h e o h a i r n a n of t h o S u p e r v i s o r y Committee 0 I t does no t

say n o r o , and t h e so le o b j e c t o f t h i s a c t i o n on th e p a r t o f

tho P o l i s h Government i s to l e g a l i s e as i t we r e T h e powers

of i t s d e l e g a t e « I t s h o u ld bo p o s s i b l e t o f i n d a wording

w h i c h would, make t h i s p o i n t e l o a r and which would a t th o

same t i m e m e e t L i t h i i a n i a 1 s o b j e c t io n , ,

go .Art io l a 43„ (P l ights c o n f e r r e d upon t h o

S u p e r v i s o r y Committee) a

The L i t h u a n i a n Komcrandum o b j e c t s t o tho r i g h t

g r a n t e d t o t h e S u p e r v i s o r y Committee of e n s u r i n g t h e

e x e c u t i o n o f th e C onven t ion i n so f a r a s i t a f f e c t s th e

economic i n t e r e s t s of t h e S t a t e s u t i l i s i n g " t h e P e r t of Home 1.

I t a lso o b j e c t s t o t h e Committee p o s s e s s i n g the r i g h t t o

r e f e r t o tho a u t h o r i t i e s c f t h e t e r r i t o r y , t o the L i t h u a n ia n

Gove rnment $ s r to the League of Eat i o n s a ny case of v i o l a t i o n

cf t h e C o n v e n t io n w hich i t may d i s c o v e r * In o r d e r 1 3

a p p r e c i a t e t h e p o i n t c f t h i s c r i t i c i s m , i t shou ld be remembered

t h a t , unde r t h e te rm s of t h e D e c i s i o n ox F e b r a a r y 1? t h , tho

Confe rence of Ambassadors was g i v e n power t o i n s i s t t h a t the

a c t u a l a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f t h e p e r t shou ld be e n t r u s t e d t c

a s p e c i a l "body; and i t was .in o rd e r to accede t p t h e L i t h u a n i a n

Gove rnm en t1 s w i s h e s t h a t t h e C onfe rence agreed, t o

reduce t h o r o l e of th e H a rbour h o a r d . a s o r i g i n a l l y c o n c e iv e d ,

ccnoaivol, to t n a t or an o rgan ox snporv i s i o n , an à to c.

i t in to 8. S u p e r v i s o r y Com m ittee . I t .3 powers c a n n o t "be

fu r the r reduced, ,

h , A r t i c l e 44- ( p u l e s o f P ro c e d u re o f the Sure rv

r*. ... 4 4-. -, \OQFP'.l v vr)6

The L i t h u a n i a n Government o b j e c t 3 to th e f a c t t h a t

d i spu tes which r a y a r i s e on th e Committee in t h e p ro p a r

of i t s r u l e s o f p r o c e d u r e r a y p o s s i b l y be s e t t l e d "by an

a r b i t r a t o r . Th is c lym se was b a s e d 'upon th e e x p é r i e n c e

acquired a t D a n z ig , where t h e members o f t h e Harbour Bo

found th e g r e a t e s t d i f f i c u l t y i n r e a c h i n g a g re e m e n t h s

ru le s o f p r o c e d u r e , e a r t i c n l a r l y a s r e g a r d s t h e I argua;-:

"be employed a t t h e B o a rd 1 3 d i s c u -ss ions ,

i . A r t i c l e 4:5. (D ip lo m a t i c im m u n i t ie s o f t he ?o

reprc -sen t a t 1 ve ) »

The L i t h u a n i a n Governmenb o f f e r s to g r a n t p e r s o n a l

i ' r . u n i ty to th e P o l i s h member o f th e Committee; b u t tli

s u f f i c i e n t to e n s u r e pe rm an en t i n v i o l a b i l i t y f o r the

correspondence and a r c h i v e s o f th e P o l i s h d e l e g a t e . I t

e s s e n t i a l t h e r e f o r e t h a t he s h o u ld 1 jÿoy d i p lo m a t i c

im m u n i t ie s , as i s p r o v i d e d i n t h e d r a f t p r e p a r e d by the

Conference, u n l e s s f u l l g u a r a n t e e s a r e sriven e l s e w h e re :

the i n v i o l a b i l i t y o f h i s c o r r e s p o n d e n c e end h i s 9 1 chive:

a a nge

i s c r y

a t ion

a r d

to t h e i r

e 3 to

l i s h

a t i s n o t

i s

r e g a r d i n g

- 1 4 -j ) • A r t i c l e 47 » (P o l i s h f r e e f o n e ) »

Wg r e a d i n t h e L i t h u a n i a n memorandumi ,T21 i s im p o s s ib le

to d i s c o v e r i n the D e c i s i o n o f F e b r u a r y 16th any s u g g e s t io n

whatever c o n c e r n i n g th e c r e a t i o n o f such a zone ( i „e » a P o l i s h

free zone )” c The d e c i s i o n o f F e b r u a r y 1 6 th , how ever , c o n t a i n s

the f o l l o w i n g p r o v i s i o n s : "Tho P o r t o f Memel to be p laced

under an economic a d m i n i s t r a t i o n , „ which w i l l p ro v id e

every g u a r a n t e e , i n p a r t i c u l a r 2 by th e e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f a f r e e

zone » »........... t h a t t h e l i thu s n i an and P o l i s h d i s t r i c t s con­

cerned w i l l be g iv en a t t h a t P o r t th e n e c e s s a r y commercial

f a c i l i t i e s " o By m aking p r o v i s i o n f o r th e c r e a t i o n o f a

P o l i s h f r e e a one ,, t h e C on fe rence h a s t h e r e f o r e m e re ly a c ted

in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h the te rm s o f i t s e a r l i e r d e c i s i o n ; f u r t h e r

the d r a f t C o n v e n t io n does n o t d e f i n i t e l y p ro v id e f o r the

c r e a t i o n of such a s o n e , b u t o n ly f o r i t s p o s s i b l e c r e a t i o n ,

i f a demand to t h a t e f f e c t i s pu t fo rw a rd by P o la n d , a n d j i n

any case , sub l o o t to c o n d i t i o n s which do n o t pu t a n y o b s t a c l e

in the way o f the n o rm al economic deve lopm ent of the Port , ,

I t i s p r o b a b l e t h a t P o la n d w i l l n o t make such a r e q u e s t i f

P o l i s h t r a d e i s a c c o rd e d the f a c i l i t i e s which i t n e ed s in the

Po r t o f Memel, S i m i l a r p r o v i s i o n s a r e c o n ta in e d i n A r t i c l e s

363 and 364 o f the T re a ty of V e r s a i l l e s which p ro v id e f o r

the p o s s i b l e g r a n t c f a f r e e zone to C z e c h o s lo v a k ia i n the

p o r t s c f Hamburg and S t e t t i n ; i t h a s n o t , i n f a c t , been n e c e s s a r y

f o r C z e c h o s l o v a k i a t o make u se o f the r i g h t r e s e r v e d to h e r ,

I t i s t r u e t h a t the L i t h u a n i a n memorandum d e c l a r e s

t h a t the t r a n s i t t r a d e coming from o r go in g to P o land w i l l

never c o n s t i t u t e more th a n a v e r y s m a l l p o r t i o n of uke g e n e r a l

-15-

t r a f f i c o f Memel, b u t i t i j d i f f i c u l t to main t e i n such an

a s s e r t i o n » I f t h e comm ercial a c t i v i t y o f P o le s in Memel

and th e t r a n s i t t r a d e a c r o s s I d fchuania a r e n o t o b s t r u c t e d .

Memel i s , on t h e c o n t r a r y , d e s t i n e d to become the o u t l e t

fo r t h e whole o f t h e E a s t e r n p o r t i o n o f Poland.,

k « A r t i c l e 48 , (M a n i p u la t i o n of Timber ) .

The 7-i t l i inu iian Government r a i s e s o b j e c t i o n to the

s t i p u l a t i o n s which have b e e n l a i d down by th e C onfe rence to

se cu re t h e m a n i p u l a t i o n o f t im b e r i n t r a n s i t ; they a r e , h o w e v e r >

e s s e n t i a l i n o r d e r to make f reedom o f t r a n s i t a r e a l i t y . Nor i s the

i t / f a c t t h a t th e y e x c e e 1 t h e sco pe o f t h e D e c i s i o n of F eb rua ry

1 6 t h , inasmuch a s th e y p r o v i d e t h a t Po land s h a l l . r e c e i v e eve ry

g u a ra n te e t h a t she w i l l o b t a i n a t th e P o r t the n e c e s s a ry

commercial f a c i l i t i e s . A r t i c l e 48 o b v i o u s l y r e l a t e s to one

of t h e s e f a c i l i t i e s , s e e i n g ' t h a t the t r a f f i c i n t im b e r w i l l be

one o f th e -or in c i p a l e l e m e n t s o f P o l i s h t r a d e a t Memel,

1„ A r t i c l e 50, ( Tra n s f e r to L i t h u a n i a o f c e r t a i nobl i g a t i o n s ? ,

The L i t h u a n i a n memorandum on ly a c c e n t s w i th r e s e r v a t i o n s

the t r a n s f e r o f tho o b l i g a t i o n s c o n t r a c t e d "by the S u c c e s s io n

S t a t e s o f German t e r r i t o r i e s u n d e r A r t i c l e s 354 and 25 6 o f the

T rea ty o f V e r s a i l l e s . The t r a n s f e r to L i t h u a n i a o f German

p r o p e r t y and d e b t s p e r t a i n i n g to th e T e r r i t o r y o f IÆemel i s

i n h e r e n t in t h e t r a n s f e r o f the s o v e r e i g n t y over t h i s t e r r i t o r y

in s p i t e , t h e r e f o r e , o f t h e i r de s i r y to t a k e i n t o c o n s i d e r a t i o n

in the f u l l e s t m e a s u r e , the d e s i r e s o f L i t h u a n i a , the A l l i e d

Powers c o u ld n o t a l l o w t h i s t r a n s f e r to be made s u b j e c t

-16-to c e r t a i n c o n d i t i o n s w i t h o u t i n f r i n g i n g the r i g h t s of

the E-cj p a r a t i o n Com m ission , which i s a lone ocmpe t e n t in the

m a t t e r u n d e r the te rm s o f A r t i c l e 256 of the T r e a t y , and

whoss d u ty i t i s to g i v e c o n s i d e r a t i o n , i f i t s e e s f i t , to

i i t i j u a m a * s s i t u a t i o n when d e t e r m i n i n g the manner in which

t h i s A r t i c l e i s to be executed.»

As r e g a r d s " s u c h f a c i l i t i e s and p r i v i l e g e s a s have bean

or may be g r a n t e d to any o t h e r S t a t e su c c e e d in g to German

t e r r i t o r y , w i t h the e x c e p t i o n o f F rance and Belgiumn } i t

may be o b s e r v e d , w i t h o u t f o r g e t t i n g t h a t the power of d e c i s i o n

in t h i s m a t t e r i s i n t h e h e n ? s o f t h e R e p a r a t i o n Commission,

t h a t Denmark h a s p a id the v a l u e o f the p r o p e r t y t r a n s f e r r e d to

h e r i n S c h l e s w i g , and t h a t , i f c e r t a i n f a c i l i t i e s h a r e been

g r a n t e d to th e F r e e C i t y o f D a n z ig , t h a t c ase i s in no way

comparable w i th the c a se of L i t h u a n i a < As r e g a r d s Po land ,

which i s an a l l i e d coun try^ the q u e s t i o n i s d e a l t w i t h i n A r t i c l e

ltf o f t h e Spa Agreement o f J u l y 1 6 th , 1920®

(m) » A r t i c l e 5 1 9 (C o s t o f Occ u p a t io n .end Admi n i s ta^etion^)

L i t h u a n i a i s l i k e w i s e e x c e e d in g h e r r i g h t s i n l a y i n g

down c o n d i t i o n s w i th r e e a r d to the repaym ent o f the c o s t o f

a ] l i e d o c c u p a t io n and a d m i n i s t r a t i o n a t Momel: she demands, how­

e v er . t h a t th e amount o f damage s u f f e r e d i n the co u rse of the

war by the t e r r i t o r i e s which a r e new l i t h u a n i e n sh o u ld be deducted!

from su c h c o s t . Eo r e s e r v a t i o n o r demand o f t h i s h ind can be main

t a i n e d ; i f L i t h u a n i a c o n s i d e r s t h a t she can p u t fo rw a rd c la im s

in r e s p e c t of war damage, t h e c la im sho u ld be a d d re s s e d t o

Car many., The L i t h u a n i a n demon! t e n d s , i n r e a l i t y ,

17 o

to w a rd s m aking t h e .A l l ied Powers "bear t h e c o s t o f the

damage c a u s e d i n L i t h u a n i a "by th o Gorman armies* I t i s

c l e a r l y im p o s a i "bio f o r the Conference to a g r e e t o any

p.: o v i s i o n o f t h i s k i n d , Moreover, i t may "bo no ted t h a t t h o

g a r r i s o n a t H0 2 2 0! h a s n e v e r b e e n on a l a rg o sc a le and

t h a t t h o c o s t o f a d m i n i s t r a t i o n h a s a l s o "boon s l i g h t ,

(n ) Ar t i e l o 5 3„ (Spc a &a 1 _Appro p r i a t i o n c f t hoCustoms ~R e v o n u e -, j

The L i t h u a n i a n memorandum r e j e c t s t h e s t i p u l a t i o n

where-by th o Customs rovoirao i s a p p r o p r i a t e d f o r the

repaym ent of amounts duo t o th e A llies and t o r th u

e x e c u t i o n of t h o o b l i g a t i o n s assumed "by L i t h u a n i a u n d e r

t h e te rm s o f A r t i e l o 50 , i t i s „ how ever , n a t u r a l t h a t t h e

A l l i e s , i n t r a n s f e r r i n g the s o v e r e i g n t y e v e r th e T e r r i t o r y

c-f Memo 1 t o L i t h u a n i a , should d e s i r e to bo a s s u r e d t h a t t h e y

w i l l i n f a c t be p a i d t h o sums w h ic h arc duo t o thorn. She

l i l i e s have t h e r i g h t t o demand d e f i n i t e s e c u r i t y . In

p r o p o s i n g t h a t the Customs revenue s h o u l d bo a p p r o p r i a t e d fo r

th e payment c f t h e a s o u n t s du,- t o them, t h e y have m e re ly

a o i c d i n c o n f o r m i t y w i t h numerous p r é c é d e n t s ; o t h e r

Governments have a l r e a d y , ao «3 op t e d s i m i l a r s t i p u l a t i o n s . I t

i s , how ever , s o a r o o l y n o o o s s a r y to s a y t h a t i f L i t h u a n i a

wore t o o f f e r some o t h e r oq.ua 1 d e f i n i t e s e c u r i t y i n

p l a c e of t h e s e u u r i t y constx tufcod by t h o Customs rev e n u e

t h e A l l i e s would n o t r e f u s e t o take suoh a p r o p o s a l i n t o

c o n s i d e r a t i o n , The L^thuao i& n memorandum o b s e r v e s , t h a t

18 =

such en a s s ig n m e n t of s e o u r i t y i s n o t m o t i o n e d i n t h e

S e e i s io n o f Fo’jrusc-y 1 6 t h „ That d e c i s i o n nc r o l y âc f i n e s t

fundam en ta l p r i n c i p l e s as c o r d i n g to which the P r i n c i p a l

PqWO s w ere p r e p a r e d to t r a n s f e r t o I d t h n a n i a t h t r i r

s o v e r e i g n t y oxer Keraelj A r b iu lo 53^ d e a l s w i th

the means n e c e s s a r y f o r e n s u r i n g th e esemr&ion» of t h e

c o n d i t i o n s l a i d down i n pmrsTL8.noo cf t i ie se p r i n c i p l e s ,

I f L i t h u a n i a i s pro peered t o r o e o g u l s o h e r do l i t . tho

Confe rence o f ikobassafjoss can n o t ü e l i e v e t h a t she w i l l

r e f u s e t o f u r n i s h the n e c e s s a r y s e c u r i t y f o r tho payment

th e r e c£ =,

(o] A r t i c l e 61 o (S o T ls i en o f t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n

The I..j_thna n i a n Government o b j e c t s t o the p r o v i s i o n

a c c o rd in g to w h i c h th e C o n s t i t u t i o n may no t he m o d i f i e d

d u r in g a p e r i o d of fi 'vb y e a r s rochoned from tho coming

in to f o r c e c f the C onven t ions This C lause a ppea red to

"be n e c e s s a r y ^ i n o rd e r t o p u t a n end to th e a tm osphere

of i n s e c u r i t y siud " u n c e r t a i n t y i n which th e p o p u l a t i o n c f

Meaol i s a t p r e s e n t l i v i n g end i n o rd e r to r e n d e r p c s eI dj )

tho deve lopm en t o f tho T e r r i t o r y and t h e i n f l u x of

f o r e i g n c a p i t a l , .

gaiffllVA.L e 3 W Y ^ T I Q m .

(p ) The S i t u a t i o n a t Memelo

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H aving t h u s p u t on r e c o r d t h e p r i n c i p a l o b s e r v a t i o n s

-19-

ariding from tho documents t r a n s m i t t e d to th e League of

'.rations tiy t h e L i t h u a n i a n Government, th e C onference of

Ambassadors f e e l 3 "bound to draw a t t e n t i o n to th e d e c l a r a t i o n

0f H. G a lvanauskas a t t h e 87 th M ee t ing of the C ouncil o f the

Teague o f N a t i o n s , h e l d a t P a r i s , on December 1 5 th , 1923,

M. G a lv a n a u s t e s d e c l a r e d t h a t the L i th u a n ia n Government

was ’’n o t a w e o f h a v in g com m itted any a c t in c o n t r a v e n t i o n

of the p r i n c i p l e s l a i d down in t h e D e c i s i o n of February 16 th or

of the p r o v i s i o n s o f th e M in u te s s i g n e d on A p r i l 1 3 th , 1923,

1/ the r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f t h e Powers and o f L i t h u a n i a , ’’

7 i t h r e g a r d t o t h i s s t a t e m e n t , vhe C onfe rence o f

Ambassadors m ere ly d e s i r e s to r e c a l l the comm unicat ion which

a d d re s s e d to t h e League o f N a t io n s on October 1 8 t h , 2923,

and which shows c l e a r l y tha* th e C onfe rence h as had to p r o t e s t

on s e v e r a l o ccw-'ions agi:i n s t w ro n g fu l a c t s c o r m i t t e d by th e

■ithuflnian Government i n th e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f the t e r r i t o r y o f

lairel.f u r t h e r m o r e , the C o n fe re n c e has been in fo rm ed t h a t Mereel

o f f i c i a l s have been dism issed , in d i s r e g a r d of t h e i r l a w fu l

eights and i n c o n t r a v e n t i o n o f c e r t a i n - provisions of th e D r a f t

Convention, and that s e v e r a l of them have been forced t o l e a v e

the T e r r i t o r y . The C onfe rence does n o t d e s i r e to engage i n a

i sp u te on t h i s m a t t e r w i t h th e L i t h u a n i a n Government, b u t i ;

'Ae ls bound to b r i n g the q u e s t i o n t o th e n o t i c e o f th e League

°f N a t io n s and to e x p r e s s i t s c o n f i d e n t hope t h a t t h e l a t t e r

t i l l , w i t h o u t w a i t i n g f o r th e s e t t l e m e n t o f th e d i s p u t e ,

make r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s t o th e L i t h u a n i a n , . * , .

£0,

lut. ' ci i vio s j ri il o r d e r t u â t the p r o v i s i o n s o f t h e D r a f t

C onven t ion , a s to y,hi eh a g re e m e n t a l r e a d y e x i s t s between

the two p a r t i e s , s h o u ld he r e s p e c t e d n o t o n ly i n the

ou t i n the s pi r i t ,

F i n a l l y , the C o n fe re n c e f e e l s i t i t s d u ty to draw

thy a t t e n t i o n of th e C ounc i l of the League o f H â t io n s to

the s t a t e o f a f f a i r s a t p r e s e n t e x i s t i n g a t Lie me 1, vh i c h i s

such t h a t the p o p u l a t i o n of t h e T e r r i t o r y can n e i t h e r e x p re s s

i t s w ish e s f r e e l y no r defend i t s i n t e r e s t s -