Zajęcie pasa neutralnego w lutym 1923 roku – próba oceny działań militarnych i politycznych

Abstract

Liquidation of neutral zone, existing from 1920, was the last stage of forming the Polish-Lithuanian border after World War I. Process of its liquidation began after incorporation of Vilnius into Poland in April 1922, when in Warsaw the question of the existing neutral zone become urgent. By contrast, completely different was the position of Lithuanian side. The incorporation of Vilnius to Poland was not recognized, and it was feared that the settlement of border can determine the belonging of this region to Republic of Poland. The seizure of Klaipeda by the Lithuanian on January 15, 1923, inspired Polish diplomacy to intensify efforts to eliminate the neutral zone. On the 22nd January the Polish Foreign Ministry has sent a note to the Powers demanding liquidation of neutral zone, accompanied by the project of division. On the 3rd of February this project was presented at the meeting of the League of Nations. Lithuanian delegates argued that it is not acceptable for Lithuania, because there is a danger of leaving Vilnius at the Polish side, however, it has had no effect and the Council of the League of Nations issued a resolution of the distribution of the neutral zone. It was assigned that the zone will be seized on February 15, 1923. The Poles were afraid of sneak attacks and the resistance of the Lithuanians. The Polish side very carefully prepared to accomplish this task. Before the action began, the Polish side had warned the Lithuanians. According to the Lithuanians, Poles, first began to attack the Lithuanian posts. After February 18 ceasefire, negotiations began to settle the dividing line. At the end of February, France presented the proposal of final settlement of the matter at the meeting of the Conference of Ambassadors. The decision was made 15 March 1923, confirming the territorial decision taken on the 3rd of February 1923. This was equal with admission of Vilnius region to Poland.