The Soviet Union threatens intervention in Lithuania due to the alleged "disappearance of men from Soviet military garrison established in Lithuania."
June 15, 1940
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Thurston) to the Secretary of State
Moscow, June 15, 1940—4 p.m.
[Received June 15—3:07 p.m.]
681. I have just been informed by the Associated Press correspondent that an official communiqué was issued a few minutes ago by the Soviet Government stating that an ultimatum addressed by it to the Lithuanian Government had been accepted by the latter this morning at 9 o’clock, one hour before its time limit expired.
The communiqué which is not yet available to the Embassy is somewhat lengthy. I understand that its principal points are that the former Lithuanian Minister of Interior[1] and head of the Political Police Department[2] must be brought to trial in connection with the Soviet protest, (Embassy’s telegram 601, May 29, 12 midnight) that the number of Soviet troops in Lithuania must be increased and that the Lithuanian Government must be reorganized.
Repeated [to] Kaunas and Riga.
Thurston
[1] K. Skucas, removed from his office on June 13, 1940.
[2] A. Povilaitis, Director of the Department of State Security since 1932, removed from his office on June 13, 1940.
The Lithuanian government has accepted an ultimatum from the Soviet Union demanding that officials be brought to trial, the number of Soviet troops increased, and the Lithuanian government reorganized.
Author(s):
Associated Places
Associated Topics
Related Documents
Document Information
Source
Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1940, General, Volume I, Document 362.
Original Archive
Rights
The History and Public Policy Program welcomes reuse of Digital Archive materials for research and educational purposes. Some documents may be subject to copyright, which is retained by the rights holders in accordance with US and international copyright laws. When possible, rights holders have been contacted for permission to reproduce their materials.
To enquire about this document's rights status or request permission for commercial use, please contact the History and Public Policy Program at HAPP@wilsoncenter.org.