Prof. Augustinas Voldemaras - tvirtos užsienio politikos šalininkas (1926 12 16-1929 09 19)

ENAfter the December 16-17, 1926 military coup in Kaunas, Prof. Augustinas Voldemaras, the Prime Minister at that time, took the helm in the affairs of foreign policy and, thereby, that of the country, once again. Addressing the press on December 20, he pointed out that relations with Poland could be expected to remain the same as before the coup, because „a relinquishment of Vilnius would mean a betrayal of the nation“. Prof. Voldemaras undertook the search for high level support from countries hostile to Poland, and a strengthening of relations with the countries of major power, which had retained a position of neutrality regarding the issue of Vilnius. By engaging such policies, Voldemaras was strategically seeking development of an international network of the countries, favorable toward Lithuania, which could then be used in applying pressure on Poland. Economic, or even political concessions and compromises were forced by some countries, but accepted with the purpose of strong impression at the international level. The message had to be clear that Lithuania was determined in the goal of full integration of Vilnius and Klaipėda lands, a goal vitally important to the nation and the state. During the period of 1927-1929, the relationship between Lithuania and Poland remained strained. In 1927, there arose a distinct danger of a military conflict. The Governments of Great Britain and France put pressure on Voldemaras to soften his radicalism, and reconcile to necessary compromises with Poland. It was not until the direct and threatening question, „war or peace?“, was raised by Pilsudski to Prof. Voldemaras in Geneva, that the professor replied in favor of peace. On December 10, 1927, an announcement was made by resolution of the United Nations, that the state of war between Lithuania and Poland had ceased to exist. However, Lithuania did not take the stance of the defeated side, because surrender had been forced.Lithuania retained its claim on Vilnius. The resolution of the United Nations had stated that both parties agreed to begin direct negotiations, as soon as possible. Nevertheless, Voldemaras attempted to avoid negotiations with Poland until the issue of Vilnius could be resolved in favor of Lithuania. Such a position proved to be unsuccessful by the negotiations, which took place in Konigsberg, Warsaw, Berlin and Kaunas in 1928. Meanwhile, Polish politicians were anxious regarding negotiations, because their purpose was to neutralize Lithuania within the Germany, Poland and Lithuania political triangle. The Government of the USSR was in support of the anti-Polish stance of Voldemaras, due to its own interests in the case. Voldemaras was keenly aware of the political weight of Moscow on Lithuania, and did not desire closer interactions with the USSR. He joined a regional pact, based in part on the Kellog-Briands Agreement. This pact laid the groundwork for the Litvinov Agreement of 1929. The primary goal of Voldemaras was to achieve the good will of Germany, which could provide a reliable counterbalance to Poland. Between 1927 and 1928, Lithuania negotiated on various issues with Germany, and signed nine agreements. Agreement was easily reached on a number of issues, because Voldemaras made certain concessions in hope that the agreements, particularly those regarding recognition of Klaipėda lands as Lithuanian, would serve strengthen the position of Lithuania on the eve of its negotiations with Poland. Of exceptional importance to the country was the signing of the agreement on border definitions on January 25, 1928. By virtue of this agreement, Berlin recognized the lands of Klaipėda as being integral with Lithuania. Irrespective of such a concession, the Germans provided no guarantee of border stability, nor did they emphasize that the agreement had been signed for an unlimited term.Nevertheless, these negotiations made the full integration of Klaipėda lands into the jurisdiction of Lithuania possible. Voldemaras again opened negotiations with the Vatican, seeking signature of a treaty. The step was necessary to appease the Lithuanian Christian Democratic Party. The Holy See had to be neutralized, regarding the issues of Lithuania’s internal policies, as well. This was key to assuring that the Vatican side with Lithuania regarding the relationship with Poland. On September 27, 1927, the treaty was signed, which established a division of Lithuania by new dioceses, and did not explicitly separate the Vilnius district from the territory of Lithuania. In addition, Voldemaras managed to extricate a secret addendum, which facilitated the financial policies of Lithuania in respect to the Church. Taking advantage of the situation, the Prime Minister acted to decrease funding of the Seminary of Telšiai, and attempted a reorganization of the School of Philosophy at Kaunas University. Voldemaras also sought friendly relations with the Italian Fascists, who held high authority in European affairs. Voldemaras signed a trade agreement, highly favorable to Italy, due to the balance of trade. However, it did cause serious concern on the part of Poland when Lithuania began to purchase Italian armaments and military aircraft on the basis of this agreement. In the negotiations with Britain, Voldemaras managed to eliminate an old debt of Lithuania with the purpose of entering the British market. It was a successful move, because from 1928, Lithuania began active exports of bacon and butter to Great Britain. Thus, Britain became an alternative market for Lithuanian agricultural products, which had been exported to Germany. Great Britain had always held a position more favorable politically to Lithuania, than did France. [...].