Foreign Relations of the United States, The Soviet Union, 1933–1939

760p.6111/71: Telegram

The Minister in Latvia (Wiley) to the Secretary of State

Riga, October 27, 1939—10 p.m.
[Received October 27—8 p.m.]

291. Lithuanian Minister⁶¹ states that delay in occupation of Vilna due to difficulties with Soviet Commission in Kaunas. Soviet military demands formulated there far exceeded terms of agreement signed in Moscow prior to the military occupation of country. However, points at issue apparently settled satisfactorily, and Soviet forces involving large concentration of tanks and substantial air force (no heavy artillery) will be concentrated along German frontier.

He has reported to his Government substantially the same information as contained in my 290, October 27, 7 p.m., re [apparent omission].⁶² It has shown much interest and has queried him for details.

Wiley

61. Pranas Dailide.
62. Telegram not printed; it reported that there were some signs of a change in Soviet policy toward internal economy, possibly allowing greater privileges to private ownership (861.50/925).