The German General commanding in Courland -last week deposed and
arrested the Lettish Ministry and disarmed the Lettish troops. The Premier took refuge on a British warship at Libau. The Ministry had been recognized by the Allies. It was supplanted by a Ministry representing the small clique of German landowners, whose interests are opposed to those of the Lettish population. The Allies cannot ignore this flagrant defiance of them. But it must be added that the Allies had put temptation in the enemy's way by providing in the Armistice that German troops should remain in the Baltic States until they were told to go. The Allies seem to have thought that, if the Germans went out, the Bolsheviks would come in. We felt sure at the time that this was a mistake. As it is, the Germans have been able to prevent these little Baltic States from organ- izing themselves with Scandinavian help. Moreover, the enemy has been given an excuse for concentrating large forces on both sides of Poland and using the Polish railways. It is an intolerable situation.
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