Poland's Victory Satisfaction that the Polish ultimatum to Lithuania precipi-
tated no crisis is severely tempered by the reflection that the main reason for that was that the small State which received the ultimatum was in no position to resist the very con- siderable State which delivered it. On the other hand, the Poles asked nothing that was unreasonable in itself, and if Poland refrains from exploiting her victory (her attitude so far has been open to no reproach) and Lithuania from nursing resentment, the ultimate consequences may be good. Colonel Beck, the Polish Foreign Minister, used studiously conciliatory words on Wednesday, but Lithuania, with a population of 2 millions, can hardly be blamed for questioning what enforced association with a State of 3o millions is going to mean for her. It need mean nothing worse than it has meant for Latvia with its 2 millions, though there are elements in Poland which have always wanted not merely friendship with Lithuania but an embrace dis- astrous to the independence of the smaller State. Germany and Russia have refrained from public intervention in the recent crisis, though one or both are believed to have advised Lithuania against resistance. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia ought now to develop close understandings both among them- selves and with Poland.
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