740.0011 European War 1939/4380: Telegram
The Minister in Lithuania (Norem) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:45 a.m.]
136. I have the honor to report that the Lithuanian papers today carried the formal denouncement by Lithuania of 1934 Baltic Pact intended to further better understanding and cooperation between the three Baltic States. It is quite apparent that the suggestion for this move as well as for several other recent changes emanates from Moscow. The Russians would have it appear that the local Communists and sympathizers (which group is apparently increasing in size and fervor) are demanding change of their own free will. Last evening a large demonstration was held by the soldiers of the Lithuanian Army. Banners reading “Let us make Lithuania the thirteenth [Page 384] republic in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics” illustrates the trend of thought.
Yesterday the German Minister, Dr. Zechlin, called at the Legation and said, among other things, that their estimate of the Russian troops in Lithuania was three and half army corps or approximately 160,000 men. Many of the troops that originally entered Lithuania had passed into Latvia and the figure for the three countries was 500,000. He said that for the time being they did not intend to repatriate the Germans from Lithuania. He added that relations between Germany and Russia were better since the Soviets had stabilized their move in Rumania.58 I asked about reported concentration of Germans in East Prussia to which he replied that these were new troops on training maneuvers. He sought several times to ascertain my views on the coming elections and their effect upon world affairs, especially upon relations with Germany. I replied that we were almost out of touch with current American news excepting that which we received over the radio. As he has just returned from Berlin his interest in American developments may not be personal but rather a reflection of anxiety as to the possibility of a conflict with us.