Ekonomistas prof. Vladas Jurgutis - bekompromisės diplomatijos atstovas (1922 01 01-09 28)

ENEminent Lithuanian economist and banker, Vladas Jurgutis was born on November 17, 1885, in Joskaudai Village, Palanga district. In 1902, he completed studies at the Palanga Pro-gymnasium, and in 1906, graduated the Priest Seminary of Kaunas and in 1910 - the Spiritual Academy of St. Petersburg. From 1910 to 1913, he studied economics at Munich University. From 1920 to 1922, he was the member of the Constituent Seimas, representing the Christian Democrat Party. In 1922, he was appointed the Minister of Foreign Affairs by the Government, first by Prime Minister Grinius, and later, by Prime Minister Galvanauskas. While Minister, Jurgutis implemented improvements in the system of salary payments to the Ministry staff by instituting adjustments to price changes. Heretofore, the staff no longer needed to rely on extra income sources for their livelihoods. However, the real achievement made by Jurgutis was the execution of an order, requiring all Ministries and institutions to communicate with foreign countries, solely through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This enabled compliance by all national institutions to act in unison. The Ministry itself was managed to operate smoothly. Jurgutis initiated secret daily meetings for discussions regarding the most pressing problems of the country and possible means of resolution. Copies of the minutes were sent by the Ministry to all the representative offices of Lithuania abroad. Jurgutis faced considerable difficulties in relations with Poland from his very first days in office. The Polish had organized illegal elections to the Seimas in Vilnius lands, and this Seimas later passed a resolution for the annexation of the territory to Poland. Jurgutis held steadfast to the position of the Government regarding the occupation of Vilnius lands and violation of the Suvalkai Agreement.However, he took serious consideration of the wishes of the United Nations, expressed in the Note of January 13,h, and understood that Lithuania needed to actively seek agreements with Poland. Therefore, on January 27, 1922, he forwarded his official Note to Poland, inviting a start in negotiations. The terms of negotiations were listed: 1) the negotiations were to be on the basis of two sovereign States; 2) the negotiations were to be based on the Suvalkai Agreement; 3) the Polish armed forces were to be withdrawn from Vilnius lands; and 4) the Lithuanian Government had rejected recognition of the Vilnius Seimas and therefore, its resolutions. On January 31, Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Skirmuntas issued a reply, approving the negotiations, but without the proposed conditions. On February 20, Jurgutis proposed that the case be brought before international justice. Poland rejected the offer, on the grounds that the Vilnius Seimas had resolved the Vilnius question, fully and finally. Lithuania had no choice but to acknowledge the reply, and continue to seek means of reconciliation with Poland. France took a stand of support for the position of Poland. On March 8, impelled by the disagreements between Lithuania and Poland, the United Nations made a proposal for the annulment of the Vilnius lands zone of neutrality, and establishment of a new demarcation line. In the April 8 Note to Hymans and Skirmuntas, Jurgutis declared that should Lithuania assent to such a proposal, it would mean a renunciation of the Suvalkai Agreement by Lithuania, and thereby, acquiescence to an annexation of Vilnius lands to Poland. The efforts of Lithuanian diplomats were often fruitless, because the countries of power had yet to provide Lithuania with de jure recognition. As of May, Lithuanian diplomats began more active efforts to influence France, Italy and Japan at the Ambassadors Conference.In June, the Ambassadors Conference discussed the issue of Lithuanian recognition, favoring it only on the condition that all interested countries, including Poland, have free navigation on the Nemunas River. Moreover, West countries did not object to a reinstatement of Klaipėda lands under Lithuania, as compensation for Vilnius. Lithuania was not in favor of projected internationalization of the Nemunas River. Jurgutis refused concede, basing his tactics on the fact that Lithuanian and Polish relations had yet to be legislated. The position of Jurgutis is made clear in the official Note to the August 4'h Ambassadors Conference. Such a position was the only possible means at hand at the time for a defense of the legitimate demands of Lithuania. Regrettably, the United Nations did not offer protection of Lithuania. Jurgutis worked in close relationships with German diplomats. He strove to win a USD 40 million compensation from Germany for losses incurred, following inflation of the Ostmark. A hard bargain was led with the Germans to complete financial negotiations, prior to moving on the issues of economic and transit agreement. While still in the post of Minister, Jurgutis had begun negotiations on the issue of reinstating Klaipėda lands under Lithuanian jurisdiction with the Germans. Even under pressure, he not acquiesce to the German demand for broadening the autonomy of Klaipėda lands. By autumn of 1922, a categorical Lithuanian policy no longer appeared promising, and it was deemed that flexibility was now needed. On September 27, 1922, Jurgutis was offered the post as Chief Manager of the Bank of Lithuania, and Prime Minister Galvanauskas took over the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs.