Klaipėda Revolt

The German–Lithuanian border had been stable since the Treaty of Melno in 1422.{{sfn|Liekis|2010|p=51}} However, northern East Prussia had a significant Lithuanian-speaking population of Prussian Lithuanians or Lietuvninkai and was known as Lithuania Minor. The Klaipėda Region covered {{cvt|2848|km2}}, which included the Curonian Lagoon of approximately {{cvt|412|km2}}.{{sfn|Migliorini|1937|p=168}} According to the Prussian Census of 1910, the city of Memel numbered 21,419 inhabitants, of whom 92% were German and 8% were Lithuanian, while the countryside was inhabited by a Lithuanian majority of 66%. In the Memel region as a whole, the Germans constituted 50.7% (71,191), the Lithuanians 47.9% (67,345), and the bilingual population (composed mostly of Lithuanians) – 1.4% (1,970).{{sfn|Cienciala|Komarnicki|1984|pp=207–208}} According to contemporary statistics by Fred Hermann Deu, 71,156 Germans and 67,259 Prussian Lithuanians lived in the region.{{sfn|Bühler|1990|p=11}} The census that was carried out just after the revolt demonstrated slightly different results in 1925. It recorded the region's total population at 141,000.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jLfX1q3kJzgC&q=lithuania+census+1923+language&pg=RA1-PA40|title=Ethnic groups and population changes in twentieth-century Central-Eastern Europe: history, data, and analysis|year=2003|publisher=M.E. Sharpe|page=40|author1=Piotr Eberhardt |author2=Jan Owsinski |isbn=978-0-7656-0665-5}} Declared language was used to classify the inhabitants, and on this basis 43.5% were German, 27.6% were Lithuanian, and 25.2% were "Klaipėdan" (Memeländisch) – those who spoke Lithuanian, but named themselves locals to distinguish from other Lithuanian population. Other sources give the interwar ethnic composition as 41.9% German, 27.1% Memeländisch, and 26.6% Lithuanian.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gonschior.de/weimar/Memelgebiet/index.htm|title=Das Memelgebiet im Überblick|website=www.gonschior.de}}{{cite web|url=http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Lithuania.htm#Memel%20Territory|title=Lithuania|last=Cahoon|first=Ben}}

The idea of uniting Lithuania Minor with Lithuania surfaced during the Lithuanian National Revival of the late 19th century. It was part of the vision to consolidate all ethnic Lithuanian lands into an independent Lithuania.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=86}} The activists also eyed Klaipėda (Memel), a major sea port in the Baltic Sea. It would become Lithuania's only deep-water access to the sea and having a port was seen as an economic necessity for self-sustainability. On November 30, 1918, twenty-four Prussian Lithuanian activists signed the Act of Tilsit, expressing their desire to unite Lithuania Minor with Lithuania.{{sfn|Lukšas|2009}} Based on these considerations, the Lithuanians petitioned the Allies to attach the whole of Lithuania Minor (not limited to Klaipėda Region) to Lithuania.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=86}} However, at the time Lithuania was not officially recognized by the western powers and not invited into any post-war conferences. Lithuania was recognized by the United States in July 1922 and by most western powers in December 1922.{{sfn|Vaitiekūnas|1957}}

The Second Polish Republic regarded the Klaipėda Region as possible compensation for Danzig. After World War I, the Polish Corridor provided access to the Baltic Sea, but the Free City of Danzig was not granted to Poland. In early 1919, Roman Dmowski, the Polish representative to the Paris Peace Conference, campaigned for the incorporation of Klaipėda Region into Lithuania, which was then to enter into a union with Poland (see Dmowski's Line and Międzymorze federation).{{sfn|Čepėnas|1986|p=756}} The Polish formula was Klaipėda to Lithuania, Lithuania to Poland.{{sfn|Safronovas|2009a|p=21}} Until the Polish–Lithuanian union could be worked out, Klaipėda was to be placed under the temporary administration of the Allies. While such a union had a historic tradition in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, Lithuania categorically refused any such proposals. Worsening Polish–Lithuanian relations led to the Polish–Lithuanian War and dispute over the Vilnius Region. However, the union idea was met favorably in Western Europe. In December 1921, Poland sent Marceli Szarota as a new envoy to the region. Due to his initiative, Poland and Klaipėda signed a trade agreement in April 1922.{{sfn|Čepėnas|1986|p=764}} In addition, Poland attempted to establish its economic presence by buying property, establishing business enterprises, and making connections with the port.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=92}}

[[File:German losses after WWI.svg|thumb|300px|Germany after Versailles:

{{legend|#ddefd0|Administered by the League of Nations}}

{{legend|#ffffcf|Annexed or transferred to neighboring countries by the treaty, or later via plebiscite and League of Nation action}}

{{legend|#f6d3a9|Weimar Germany}}]]

Influenced by the Polish proposals, the Allies took Klaipėda Region into account when signing the peace treaty with Germany. According to article 28 of the Treaty of Versailles, effective January 10, 1920, lands north of the Neman River were detached from the German Empire and, according to article 99, were placed under a mandate of the League of Nations.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=86}} The French agreed to become temporary administrators of the region while the British declined.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=87}} The first French troops, the {{Interlanguage link|21e bataillon de chasseurs à pied|lt=21st Battalion|fr||WD=}} of Chasseurs Alpins under General {{ill|Dominique Joseph Odry|pl}},{{sfn|Vareikis|2000|p=3}} arrived on February 10, 1920.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=87}} The Germans officially handed over the region on February 15.{{sfn|Gerutis|1984|p=205}} Two days later General Odry established a seven-member Directorate—the main governing institution. After Lithuanian protests, two Prussian Lithuanian representatives were admitted to the Directorate, increasing its size to nine members.{{sfn|Gliožaitis|2003a|p=173}} On June 8, 1920, France appointed Gabriel Jean Petisné as the head of the civilian administration in the Klaipėda Region.{{sfn|Gliožaitis|2003a|pp=173–174}} Petisné showed anti-Lithuanian bias{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|pp=87–88}} and was favorable towards the idea of a free city.{{sfn|Gerutis|1984|p=207}} General Odry resigned on May 1, 1920, leaving Petisné the highest-ranking official in the region.{{sfn|Čepėnas|1986|p=761}}

French Prime Minister and chairman of the Paris Peace Conference Georges Clemenceau commented that the Klaipėda Region was not attached to Lithuania because it had not yet received de jure recognition.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=87}} The Lithuanians seized this statement and further campaigned for their rights in the region believing that once they received international recognition, the region should be theirs. As the mediation of the Polish–Lithuanian conflict over the Vilnius Region by the League of Nations was going nowhere, the Klaipėda Region became a major bargaining chip. Already in 1921, implicit "Klaipėda-for-Vilnius" offers were made.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=89}} In March 1922, the British made a concrete and explicit offer: in exchange for recognition of Polish claims to Vilnius, Lithuania would receive de jure recognition, Klaipėda Region, and economic aid.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=89}} The Lithuanians rejected the proposal as they were not ready to give up on Vilnius. After the rejection, the French and British attitudes turned against Lithuania and they now favored the free city solution (Freistadt like the Free City of Danzig).{{sfn|Safronovas|2009a|p=21}} Thus the Lithuanians could wait for an unfavorable decision or they could seize the region and present a fait accompli.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=90}}

File:Participants of the Klaipėda Revolt in Klaipėda, Lithuania, 1923.jpg

On November 3–4, 1922, a delegation of Prussian Lithuanians unsuccessfully pleaded the Lithuanian case to the Conference of Ambassadors. This failure became the impetus to organize the uprising.{{sfn|Šilas|2003|p=181}} During a secret session on November 20, 1922, the Lithuanian government decided to organize the revolt.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=90}} They recognized that the diplomatic efforts through the League of Nations or the Conference of Ambassadors were fruitless and economic measures to sway the inhabitants towards Lithuania were too expensive and ineffective in international diplomacy.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=90}} General Silvestras Žukauskas claimed that the Lithuanian Army could disarm the small French regiment and take the region in 24 hours.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=88}} However, a direct military action against France was too dangerous, both in military and diplomatic sense. Therefore, it was decided to stage a local revolt, using the example of the Polish Żeligowski's Mutiny in October 1920.{{sfn|Gerutis|1984|p=208}}

The preparations were left in the hands of Prime Minister Ernestas Galvanauskas. While he delegated specific tasks, the grand plan was kept secret even from the First Seimas or Ministry of Foreign Affairs and thus very few Lithuanians understood the full role of the government in the revolt.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=91}} Thus the main credit for organization of the revolt is sometimes given to Vincas Krėvė-Mickevičius, Chairman of the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union, which provided the manpower.{{sfn|Turčinavičius|2010}} Galvanauskas planned to present the revolt as a genuine uprising of the local population against its German Directorate and not against the French or Allied administration. Such plan was designed to direct Allied protests away from the Lithuanian government and to exploit the anti-German sentiment in Europe.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=96}} Galvanauskas was careful to hide any links between the rebels and the Lithuanian government so that if the revolt failed he could blame the Riflemen and the rebels absolving the government of any responsibility. Galvanauskas warned that all those involved could be subject to criminal prosecutions if it was necessary for Lithuania's prestige.{{sfn|Vareikis|2008|p=95}}

File:Memel-10mark-1922b.jpg) issued in the Klaipėda Region in 1922 to combat inflation]]

The local population was engaged in the political tug of war between Germany, Lithuania, and free city. Reunion with Germany was a political impossibility, but local Germans wished to preserve their political and cultural dominance in the region.{{sfn|Gerutis|1984|p=206}} While Prussian Lithuanians spoke the Lithuanian language, they had developed their own complex identity, including a different religion (Lutherans as opposed to Roman Catholic Lithuanians). The Lithuanians were seen as both economically and culturally backward people.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=94}} Farmers and industry workers worried that cheaper produce and labor from Lithuania would destroy their livelihood.{{sfn|Čepėnas|1986|p=763}} Therefore, the idea of a free city was gaining momentum. At the end of 1921, Arbeitsgemeinschaft für den Freistaat Memel (Society for Free State Memel) collected 54,429 signatures out of 71,856 total eligible residents (75.7%) in support of the free state.{{sfn|Cienciala|Komarnicki|1984|p=209}}

File:Two posters by Augustinas Laukzemis printing house (USA), 1920s.jpg and Lithuania Minor, while the right one is depicting the connection of the Port of Klaipėda with New York City]]

Therefore, even before the decision to organize the revolt, Lithuania attempted to maximize its influence and attract supporters in the region. Lithuania restricted its trade to demonstrate region's economic dependence as it did not produce enough food.{{sfn|Čepėnas|1986|p=760}} The economic situation was further complicated by the beginning of hyperinflation of the German mark, which the region used as its currency. The Lithuanian cause was also supported by industrialists, who expected cheap labor and raw materials from Lithuania.{{sfn|Čepėnas|1986|p=763}} Lithuanians also engaged in intense propaganda.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=90}} They established and financed pro-Lithuanian organizations and acquired interest in local press. Many of these activities were coordinated by Lithuanian envoy Jonas Žilius, who received 500,000 German marks for such purposes.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=90}} Banker Jonas Vailokaitis donated US$12,500 ({{Inflation|US|12500|1923|r=2|fmt=eq}}) for the cause and pledged another $10,000 if needed.{{sfn|Kažukauskas|2003}} Additional support was provided by Lithuanian Americans, including Antanas Ivaškevičius (Ivas) and Andrius Martusevičius (Martus).{{sfn|Safronovas|2009b|p=755}} For several weeks before the revolt, the local press reported on alleged Polish plans for the region. This was designed to strengthen the anti-Polish sentiment and paint Lithuania as a more favorable solution.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=96}} It seems that these actions had the intended result and public opinion shifted towards Lithuania.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=95}}

Germany understood that the region would not be re-attached. Therefore, they favored the lesser of two evils and tacitly supported the interests of Lithuania.{{sfn|Safronovas|2009a|p=23}} The Weimar Republic saw both Poland and France as its major enemies while Lithuania was more neutral. Also, once Germany restored its might, it would be much easier to recapture the region from weaker Lithuania than from larger Poland.{{sfn|Lukšas|2009}} Already on February 22, 1922, the Germans unofficially informed the Lithuanians that they were not opposed to Lithuanian action in Klaipėda and that, understandably, such a stance would never be officially declared.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=92}} Such attitudes were later confirmed in other unofficial German–Lithuanian communications and even during the revolt, when Berlin urged local Germans not to hinder the Lithuanian plans.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|pp=92–93}}

When the Allies contemplated turning Klaipėda into a free city like Danzig, Polish Foreign Minister Konstanty Skirmunt believed that such a free city would hurt the Polish interest by allowing Germany to maintain its influence in the region. Skirmunt instead supported the transfer of the region to Lithuania if Poland would secure unrestricted trade via the Neman River and the port.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=88}} At the same time Poland was preoccupied by other issues (assassination of President Gabriel Narutowicz, economic crisis, territorial disputes in Silesia, tense relations with Soviet Russia) and paid less attention to Klaipėda.{{sfn|Vareikis|2009}} Lithuania understood that a military action against Polish interest in the region could resume the Polish–Lithuanian War.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=93}} To counter the expected backlash from Poland and France, the Lithuanians looked for an ally in Soviet Russia, which opposed a strong Polish state. On November 29, Soviet Foreign Minister Georgy Chicherin stopped briefly in Kaunas on his way to Berlin.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=93}} In a conversation with Galvanauskas, Chicherin expressed support for Lithuanian plans in Klaipėda and declared that Soviet Russia would not remain passive if Poland moved against Lithuania.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=93}}

On December 18, 1922, a committee of the Conference of Ambassadors scheduled the presentation of a proposal for the future of the region on January 10, 1923.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=95}} While the content of the proposal was not known until after the start of the revolt, the Lithuanians expected the decision to be against their interest and hastened their preparations. Indeed, the committee proposed either creating a free city (an autonomous region under the League of Nations) or transferring the region to Lithuania if it agreed to a union with Poland.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=96}} January 1923 was also convenient as France was distracted by the occupation of the Ruhr and Europe feared the outbreak of another war. The domestic situation in Lithuania was also favorable: Galvanauskas, as the Prime Minister, had extensive powers while the First Seimas was deadlocked and the election of President Aleksandras Stulginskis, who strongly opposed the revolt, was contested.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=96}}

File:Manifest of the Supreme Committee for the Salvation of Lithuania Minor.jpg

In late 1922, Lithuanian activists were sent to various towns and villages to deliver patriotic speeches{{sfn|Jurgėla|1990|p=72}} and organize a number of pro-Lithuanian Committees for the Salvation of Lithuania Minor. On December 18, 1922, the Supreme Committee for the Salvation of Lithuania Minor (SCSLM), chaired by Martynas Jankus, was established in Klaipėda to unite all these committees.{{sfn|Šilas|2003|p=183}} It was to lead the revolt and later organize a pro-Lithuanian regime in the region. According to Jankus testimony to the Conference of Ambassadors in March 1923, up to 8,000–10,000 persons (5–7% of the population) were united around the Committee before January 10, 1923.{{sfn|Clinchant|Aloisi|Fry|1923|p=106}} On January 3, 1923, a congress of the committees authorized SCSLM to represent the interest of the inhabitants of the entire region. However, at the time the organization was just a name and apart from issuing several declarations had no other activity. Some of its members admitted that they learned about their role in the SCSLM only after the revolt.{{sfn|Safronovas|2009b|p=756}} On January 7, the SCSLM published a proclamation, Broliai Šauliai!, alleging that the Lithuanians were persecuted by foreigners, declaring its resolve to take up arms to rid itself of "slavery", and pleading the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union for help. This became the official pretext for the riflemen to enter into the region on January 9.{{sfn|Safronovas|2009b|p=756}}

On January 9, the SCSLM declared that, based on the authorization from other salvation committees to represent all inhabitants of the region, the SCSLM usurped all power in the region, dissolved the Directorate, chaired by Vilius Steputaitis (Wilhelm Stepputat), and authorized Erdmonas Simonaitis to form a new five-member Directorate within 3 days.{{sfn|Gerutis|1984|p=208}} The declaration also provided that the German and Lithuanian language were given equal status as official languages of the region, all political prisoners were to be released, martial law was enacted.{{sfn|Čepėnas|1986|p=774}} In addition to this declaration, the Committee issued a French appeal to the French soldiers, in which they, as "fighters for noble ideas of freedom and equality", were asked not to fight against the "will and achievements of the Lithuanian nation". On January 13, Simonaitis formed a new pro-Lithuanian Directorate, which included Vilius Gaigalaitis, Martynas Reizgys, Jonas Toleikis, and Kristupas Lekšas.{{sfn|Žostautaitė|1992|p=51}} On January 19, representatives of Committees for the Salvation of Lithuania Minor met in Šilutė (Heydekrug) and passed a five-point declaration, asking for the region to be incorporated as an autonomous district into Lithuania. The document was signed by some 120 people. The region's autonomy extended to local taxation, education, religion, court system, agriculture, social services.{{sfn|Gliožaitis|Šukienė|2009|p=422}} On January 24, the First Seimas (parliament of Lithuania) accepted the declaration thus formalizing the incorporation of the Klaipėda Region. Antanas Smetona was sent as the chief envoy to the region.

File:Klaipeda Revolt 1923 - Lithuanian rebels.jpg

File:Lithuanian rebels in Rimkai.jpeg]]

Galvanauskas enlisted the paramilitary Lithuanian Riflemen's Union to provide manpower for the revolt. Vincas Krėvė-Mickevičius, chairman of the union, believed that the idea to organize the revolt originated within the organization and Galvanauskas only tacitly approved the plan while carefully distancing the government from the rebels. In December 1922, Krėvė-Mickevičius met with Reichswehr's commander Hans von Seeckt and was assured that German army would not interfere with the Lithuanian plans in the region.{{sfn|Safronovas|2009a|p=26}} Krėvė-Mickevičius cheaply bought 1,500 guns, five light machine guns, and 1.5 million rounds of ammunition from the Germans.{{sfn|Kažukauskas|2003}} The military action was coordinated by Lithuanian counterintelligence officer and former Russian colonel Jonas Polovinskas, who changed his name to Jonas Budrys, which sounded more Prussian Lithuanian.{{sfn|Čepas|2008|p=21}} Later his entire staff changed their last names to sound more Prussian Lithuanian.{{sfn|Vareikis|2008|p=197}} According to memoirs of Steponas Darius, the revolt was first scheduled for the night of the New Year, but the Lithuanian government pulled out based on a negative intelligence report.{{sfn|Jurgėla|1990|p=72}} Supporters of the revolt gathered in Kaunas and convinced the government to proceed. The delay jeopardized the mission as the secret could have leaked to the Allies.{{sfn|Jurgėla|1990|p=73}}

The revolt started on January 10, 1923. Arriving with trains to Kretinga and Tauragė, 1,090 volunteers (40 officers, 584 soldiers, 455 riflemen, three clerks, two doctors, six orderlies) crossed the border into the region.{{sfn|Vareikis|2009}} Among them were Steponas Darius and Vladas Putvinskis. They wore civilian clothes and had green armband with letters MLS for Mažosios Lietuvos sukilėlis or Mažosios Lietuvos savanoris (rebel/volunteer of Lithuania Minor). Each man had a rifle and 200 bullets;{{sfn|Butkevičius|2010}} the rebels had a total of 21 light machine guns, four motorcycles, three cars, 63 horses.{{sfn|Vareikis|2009}} In hopes of negotiating a peaceful retreat of the French and to avoid any casualties, shooting was allowed only as a last resort of self-defense.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=95}} Galvanauskas ordered perfect behavior (politeness, no plunder, no alcoholic drinks, no political speeches) and no Lithuanian identification (no Lithuanian documents, money, tobacco, or matchboxes).{{sfn|Čepas|2008|p=21}} In the Klaipėda Region, these men were met by some 300 local volunteers,{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=96}} though Lithuanian historian Vygandas Vareikis disputed the accuracy of this assertion.{{sfn|Vareikis|2009}} More local men joined once the rebels reached cities.{{sfn|Kažukauskas|2003}} The rebels met little resistance, but struggled with cold winter weather, lack of transportation and basic supplies{{sfn|Kažukauskas|2003}} (they were not provided with food or clothes, but were given a daily allowance of 4000 German marks).{{sfn|Butkevičius|2010}}

File:Two posters by Augustinas Laukzemis printing house, USA, 1920s.jpg, the military leader of the Klaipėda Revolt (right)]]

The contingent was divided into three armed groups. The first and strongest group (530 men commanded by Major Jonas Išlinskas codename Aukštuolis) was ordered to take Klaipėda. The second group (443 men led by Captain Mykolas Kalmantavičius codename Bajoras) was sent to capture Pagėgiai (Pogegen) and secure the border with Germany and the third (103 men led by Major Petras Jakštas codename Kalvaitis) to Šilutė (Heydekrug).{{sfn|Vareikis|2009}} By January 11, the pro-Lithuanian forces controlled the region, except for the city of Klaipėda. The French administrator Pestiné refused to surrender and fighting over Klaipėda broke out on January 15. The city was defended by 250 French soldiers, 350 German policemen, and 300 civilian volunteers.{{sfn|Čepas|2008|p=20}} After a brief gunfight, a ceasefire was signed by Pestiné and Budrys and the French soldiers were interned in their barracks.{{sfn|Čepėnas|1986|p=776}} During the fighting, 12 insurgents, two French soldiers, and one German policeman were killed.{{sfn|Lukšas|2009}} According to German sources, one French soldier died and two were injured.{{sfn|Čepėnas|1986|p=776}} On January 16, the Polish ship Komendant Piłsudski entered the port of Klaipėda carrying Colonel Eugène Trousson, a member of the French military mission in Poland, and reinforcements to French troops.{{sfn|Čepėnas|1986|p=777}} However, the ship soon departed as the fighting was over and ceasefire was in effect. On January 17–18, the British cruiser HMS Caledon and two French torpedo boats, Algérien and Senégalais, reached Klaipėda. The French cruiser Voltaire was on its way.{{sfn|Cienciala|Komarnicki|1984|p=211}} The Lithuanians began organizing a local army, which included 317 men by January 24. The men were enticed by a guaranteed six-month position and a wage of two litas a day.{{sfn|Vareikis|2008|pp=200–201}}

{{Main|Klaipėda Convention}}

File:Lithuanian volunteers parade following the Klaipėda Revolt in 1923.jpg

File:Parade of the Lithuanian Army in Klaipėda Theatre Square in 1923.jpg

France protested against the Lithuanian actions and issued direct military threats demanding to return to the status quo ante bellum. Britain protested, but refrained from threats.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=97}} It was suspected that Lithuania had Soviet support, which meant that if either France or Poland initiated a military response Soviet Russia would intervene, possibly causing another war. Poland protested, but also feared wider repercussions. It offered military assistance, but only if France and Britain approved.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=97}} On January 17, 1923, the Conference of Ambassadors decided to dispatch a special commission, led by Frenchman Georges Clinchant. The commission with a handful of Allied troops arrived on January 26 and almost immediately demanded that the rebels withdraw from the region, threatening to use force, but quickly backed down.{{sfn|Čepėnas|1986|p=779}} On January 29, the Allies rejected the proposal to send troops to quash the revolt.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=98}} France wanted to restore its administration, but Britain and Italy supported the transfer of the region to Lithuania. On February 2, the Allies presented a sternly worded ultimatum demanding withdrawal of all rebels from the region, disbandment of any armed forces, Steponaitis' Directorate and the Supreme Committee for the Salvation of Lithuania Minor.{{sfn|Čepėnas|1986|p=779}}

At the same time, the League was making its final decision regarding the bitter territorial dispute over the Vilnius Region between Poland and Lithuania. On February 3, the League decided to divide the {{cvt|6|km}} wide neutral zone, established in the aftermath of the Żeligowski's Mutiny in November 1920.{{sfn|Senn|1966|p=109}} Despite Lithuanian protests, the division of the neutral zone proceeded on February 15.{{sfn|Senn|1966|p=110}} In these circumstances, the League decided on an unofficial exchange: Lithuania would receive the Klaipėda Region for the lost Vilnius Region.{{sfn|Senn|1966|p=111}} By February 4, the Allied ultimatum was replaced by a diplomatic note requesting that the transfer of the Klaipėda Region would be orderly and not coerced.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=99}} On February 11, the Allies even thanked Lithuania for the peaceful resolution of the crisis.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=99}} To further appease the League, the Simonaitis' Directorate was disbanded on February 15. Viktoras Gailius formed a provisional five-member Directorate, which included two Germans and three Prussian Lithuanians.{{sfn|Čepėnas|1986|p=780}} On February 17, the Conference transferred the region to Lithuania under several conditions to be later formalized in the Klaipėda Convention: the region would be granted autonomy, Lithuania would compensate Allied costs of administration and assume German liabilities of war reparations, and the Neman River would be internationalized.{{sfn|Senn|1966|p=111}} Lithuania accepted and thus the revolt was legitimized.{{sfn|Gerutis|1984|pp=210–211}} The French and British ships left the port on February 19.{{sfn|Čepas|2008|p=21}}

Initially the proposed Klaipėda Convention reserved extensive rights for Poland to access, use, and govern the port of Klaipėda.{{sfn|Gliožaitis|2003b|p=189}} This was completely unacceptable to Lithuania, which had terminated all diplomatic ties with Poland over the Vilnius Region. The stalled negotiations were referred to the League of Nations. The three-member commission, chaired by American Norman Davis, prepared the final convention which was signed by Great Britain, France, Italy, Japan, and Lithuania in May 1924.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=99}} The Klaipėda Region became an autonomous region under unconditional sovereignty of Lithuania. The region had extensive legislative, judicial, administrative, and financial autonomy and elected its own local parliament. The port of Klaipėda was internationalized allowing freedom of transit. The convention was hailed as a major Lithuanian diplomatic victory as it contained none of the special rights initially reserved for Poland{{sfn|Gerutis|1984|p=212}} and placed no conditions on Lithuanian sovereignty in the region.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=99}} However, the convention severely limited the powers of the Lithuanian government and caused frequent debates on the relationship between central and local authorities.{{sfn|Eidintas|Žalys|Senn|1999|p=99}} In the 1920s, the relations between Lithuania and Germany under Foreign Minister Gustav Stresemann were rather normal. However, tensions began to rise after Adolf Hitler came to power. Weaknesses of the convention were exploited by Nazi Germany when it supported anti-Lithuanian activities and campaigned for reincorporation of the region into Germany. This culminated in a 1939 ultimatum, which successfully demanded that Lithuania give up the Klaipėda Region under threat of invasion.{{sfn|Gerutis|1984|p=213}}

File:Soldiers of the Lithuanian Army riding horses in Klaipėda (Memel), 1923.jpg|Soldiers of the Lithuanian Army riding horses in Klaipėda, 1923

File:Lithuanian medal with a box dedicated to the Klaipėda Revolt, 1923.jpg|Lithuanian medal with a box dedicated to the Klaipėda Revolt, 1923

File:Jonas Budrys and Lithuanian Military officers in Klaipeda (1923).jpg|Uprising military commander Jonas Budrys, the High Commissioner, and the Lithuanian Army officers arrive in Klaipėda in 1923

File:JAV lietuvių plakatas. Kas būtų jei jūros nebūtų!.jpg|Lithuanian Americans poster, 1923

{{reflist|20em}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{Cite book |last=Bühler |first=Phillip A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=riBpAAAAMAAJ&q=67259+klaipeda |title=The Oder-Neisse Line: a reappraisal under international law |publisher=Columbia University Press |year=1990 |isbn=978-0-88033-174-6 |series=East European monographs |volume=227 }}
• {{Cite journal |last=Čepas |first=Vytautas |date=January 2008 |title=Speech by Seimas member Vytautas Čepas |url=http://www6.lrs.lt/kronikos/pdf/m_123.pdf |url-status=dead |journal=Lithuanian Parliamentary Mirror |volume=1 |issue=123 |issn=1392-3528 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722151929/http://www6.lrs.lt/kronikos/pdf/m_123.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}
• {{Cite book |last1=Cienciala |first1=Anna |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zwRpAAAAMAAJ&q=71856 |title=From Versailles to Locarno: Keys to Polish Foreign Policy, 1919–25 |last2=Komarnicki |first2=Titus |publisher=University Press of Kansas |year=1984 |isbn=0-7006-0247-X }}
• {{Cite book |last1=Eidintas |first1=Alfonsas |title=Lithuania in European Politics: The Years of the First Republic, 1918–1940 |last2=Žalys |first2=Vytautas |last3=Senn |first3=Alfred Erich |publisher=St. Martin's Press |year=1999 |isbn=0-312-22458-3 |edition=Paperback |location=New York}}
• {{Cite book |title=Lithuania: 700 Years |publisher=Manyland Books |year=1984 |isbn=0-87141-028-1 |editor-last=Gerutis |editor-first=Albertas |edition=6th |location=New York |lccn=75-80057 |translator-last=Budreckis |translator-first=Algirdas }}
• {{Cite book |last=Walters |first=F. P. |url=https://libraryresources.unog.ch/ld.php?content_id=32146299 |title=A History of the League of Nations |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1952 }}

• {{Cite journal |last=Butkevičius |first=Algirdas |date=2010-05-17 |title=Nepalaužtas kančių ir neteisybės |url=http://www.siaure.lt/article/articlearchiveview/255/2010/05/17 |url-status=dead |journal=Šiaurės rytai |language=lt |issn=1392-9240 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722151943/http://www.siaure.lt/article/articlearchiveview/255/2010/05/17 |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}
• {{Cite book |last=Čepėnas |first=Pranas |title=Naujųjų laikų Lietuvos istorija |publisher=Dr. Kazio Griniaus Fondas |year=1986 |volume=II |location=Chicago |language=lt |oclc=3220435}}
• {{Cite book |last1=Clinchant |first1=Georges |title=Question de Memel: documents diplomatiques |last2=Aloisi |first2=Pompeo |last3=Fry |first3=Basil Homfray |publisher=République de Lithuanie. Ministére des Affaires Étrangères |year=1923 |volume=1 |location=Kaunas |language=fr |chapter=Rapport adressé à la Conférence des ambassadeurs par la Commission extraordinaire de Memel |oclc=14979637 |chapter-url=http://www.ostdeutsches-forum.net/fr/Histoire/PDF/Memel-Rapport-1923-F.pdf }}
• {{Cite encyclopedia |year=2003a |title=Klaipėdos kraštas |encyclopedia=Mažosios Lietuvos enciklopedija |publisher=Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas |location=Vilnius |last=Gliožaitis |first=Algirdas Antanas |volume=2 |language=lt |isbn=5-420-01470-X}}
• {{Cite encyclopedia |year=2003b |title=Klaipėdos krašto konvencija |encyclopedia=Mažosios Lietuvos enciklopedija |publisher=Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas |location=Vilnius |last=Gliožaitis |first=Algirdas Antanas |volume=2 |language=lt |isbn=5-420-01470-X}}
• {{Cite encyclopedia |year=2009 |title=Šilutės seimo deklaracija |encyclopedia=Mažosios Lietuvos enciklopedija |publisher=Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas |location=Vilnius |volume=4 |language=lt |isbn=978-5-420-01470-7 |last2=Šukienė |first2=Roma |last1=Gliožaitis |first1=Algirdas Antanas}}
• {{Cite book |last=Jurgėla |first=Petras |title=Sparnuoti lietuviai Darius ir Girėnas |publisher=Lietuvos žurnalistų sąjunga |year=1990 |location=Vilnius |language=lt |oclc=23442034 |orig-year=1935}}
• {{Cite journal |last=Kažukauskas |first=Vytautas |date=January 2003 |title=Visa Lietuvių tauta atsiėmė Klaipėdą |url=http://www.muziejai.lt/prev_vers/Vilnius/kazukausko_str.htm |url-status=dead |journal=Vytautai |language=lt |volume=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928035348/http://www.muziejai.lt/prev_vers/Vilnius/kazukausko_str.htm |archive-date=2011-09-28 }}
• {{Cite book |last=Liekis |first=Šarūnas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ST3LrBPOM4gC&pg=PA51 |title=1939: the year that changed everything in Lithuania's history |publisher=Rodopi |year=2010 |isbn=978-90-420-2762-6 |series=On the boundary of two worlds |volume=20 }}
• {{Cite journal |last=Lukšas |first=Aras |date=2009-01-16 |title=Klaipėdos sukilimas: faktai ir versijos |url=http://www.lzinios.lt/lt/2009-01-16/istorija/klaipedos_sukilimas_faktai_ir_versijos.html |url-status=dead |journal=Lietuvos žinios |language=lt |volume=12 |issue=12239 |issn=1822-1637 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722152028/http://www.lzinios.lt/lt/2009-01-16/istorija/klaipedos_sukilimas_faktai_ir_versijos.html |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}
• {{Cite book |last=Migliorini |first=Elio |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tXU2AAAAMAAJ&q=2848 |title=Finlandia e stati Baltici |publisher=Istituto per l'Europa Orientale |year=1937 |language=it |oclc=23508134 }}
• {{Cite journal |last=Safronovas |first=Vasilijus |year=2009a |title=Der Anschluss des Memelgebietes an Litauen |url=http://www.annaberger-annalen.de/jahrbuch/2009/4_Safronovas.pdf |journal=Annaberger Annalen |language=de |volume=17 |issn=0949-3484 }}
• {{Cite encyclopedia |year=2009b |title=Vyriausias Mažosios Lietuvos gelbėjimo komitetas |encyclopedia=Mažosios Lietuvos enciklopedija |publisher=Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas |location=Vilnius |last=Safronovas |first=Vasilijus |volume=4 |language=lt |isbn=978-5-420-01470-7}}
• {{Cite book |last=Senn |first=Alfred Erich |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=180UAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA110 |title=The Great Powers, Lithuania and the Vilna Question 1920–1928 |publisher=E.J. Brill |year=1966 |series=Studies in East European history |volume=11 |oclc=398265 }}
• {{Cite encyclopedia |year=2003 |title=Klaipėdos krašto sukilimas |encyclopedia=Mažosios Lietuvos enciklopedija |publisher=Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos institutas |location=Vilnius |last=Šilas |first=Vytautas |volume=2 |language=lt |isbn=5-420-01470-X}}
• {{Cite journal |last=Turčinavičius |first=Vladas |date=2010-01-21 |title=Drąsiausias Lietuvos politinis–karinis žygis |url=http://www.mazoji-lietuva.lt/article.php?article=2243 |url-status=dead |journal=Mažoji Lietuva |issn=2029-3542 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722152015/http://www.mazoji-lietuva.lt/article.php?article=2243 |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}
• {{Cite journal |last=Vaitiekūnas |first=Vytautas |date=December 1957 |title=The Continuity of Lithuania's Statehood |url=https://www.lituanus.org/1957/57_4_01Vaitekunas.html |journal=Lituanus |volume=4 |issue=13 |issn=0024-5089 |access-date=2021-07-03 |archive-date=2021-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183030/https://www.lituanus.org/1957/57_4_01Vaitekunas.html |url-status=dead }}
• {{Cite journal |last=Vareikis |first=Vygandas |year=2000 |title=Die Rolle des Schützenbundes Litauens bei der Besetzung des Memelgebietes 1923 |url=http://www.annaberger-annalen.de/jahrbuch/2000/AnnabergerAnnalenAusgabe8.pdf |journal=Annaberger Annalen |language=de |volume=8 |issn=0949-3484 }}
• {{Cite journal |last=Vareikis |first=Vygandas |year=2008 |title=Sukilėliai, šauliai, savanoriai |url=http://www.ku.lt/leidykla/leidiniai/AHUK/AHUK_XVII.pdf |url-status=dead |journal=Acta Historica Universitatis Klaipedensis |language=lt |volume=XVII |issn=1392-4095 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722152412/http://www.ku.lt/leidykla/leidiniai/AHUK/AHUK_XVII.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}
• {{Cite journal |last=Vareikis |first=Vygandas |year=2009 |title=Klaipėdos krašto užėmimas: dokumentai prieš mitus |url=http://www.lrytas.lt/print.asp?data=&k=news&id=12359180741234791921 |url-status=dead |journal=Kultūros barai |language=lt |volume=2 |issn=0134-3106 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130219003534/http://www.lrytas.lt/print.asp?data=&k=news&id=12359180741234791921 |archive-date=2013-02-19 |access-date=2011-01-24 }}
• {{Cite book |last=Žostautaitė |first=Petronėlė |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s460AAAAIAAJ&q=Reizgys |title=Klaipėdos kraštas: 1923–1939 |publisher=Mokslas |year=1992 |isbn=978-5-420-00724-2 |language=lt }}

{{refend}}

{{Wikisourcelang|lt|Broliai Šauliai!|Proclamation Broliai Šauliai! of January 7, 1923}}

{{Spoken Wikipedia|Klaipėda_Revolt.ogg|date=2012-04-20}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOLLn8d1Ego 1923 documentary film Klaipėda Revolt]
• [http://www.archyvai.lt/exhibitions/klaipeda/paroda.htm Virtual exhibition of archival documents and photos of the revolt] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223090427/http://www.archyvai.lt/exhibitions/klaipeda/paroda.htm |date=2015-02-23 }} {{in lang|lt}}
• [http://www.ostdeutsches-forum.net/fr/Histoire/PDF/Memel-Rapport-1923-F.pdf March 1923 report to the Conference of Ambassadors] {{in lang|fr}}; [http://www.ostdeutsches-forum.net/preussen/ostpreussen/Memelland/Bericht-1923.htm German translation]
• [http://www.worldlii.org/int/other/treaties/LNTSer/1924/194.pdf Full text of the Klaipėda Convention of May 1924]

{{Lithuanian wars and conflicts}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Klaipeda Revolt}}

Category:1923 in Lithuania

Category:Conflicts in 1923

Category:January 1923 in Europe

Category:20th-century rebellions

Category:20th century in Klaipėda

Category:Baltic rebellions

Category:Lithuanian irredentism

Category:Wars involving Lithuania

Category:France–Lithuania relations

Category:Klaipėda Region