In addition, Estonia leased Russia two sites for airdromes on the islands if Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, which lie athwart the Gulf of Riga. They are barren and flat, but their location makes them of great military value to Russia. The Estonians agreed to permit Russia to keep military forces on them, but insisted on limiting the number of soldiers; and this was finally fixed at 25,000.
They did not cede any of this territory - they leased it on advantageous terms for ten years, with an option for five years more, if mutually desired. The money derived from the leases, of course, goes into the Estonian treasury; and the territory itself remains Estonian territory, subject to Estonian laws.
The Pact and Trade Agreement were signed September 28th, 1939, by Russian Foreign Commissar Molotoff, and Estonian Foreign Minister Selter. The documents were drawn up in two languages, Russian and Estonian; and this in itself must have been gratifying to the Estonians as a formal recognition of their right to their own language - that right for which they had struggled so long to maintain. The next day the agreements were ratified by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, and that fact was announced after a state dinner given to Selter, at which dinner Josef Stalin and other high Russian officials were present. Selter rose and thanked Molotoff and through him Stalin for “wise guidance in politicl and economic negotiations”, and Molotoff, in his turn, expressed his conviction that the new agreement would create favorable opportunities for the development and flourishing life of Estonia and the Soviet Union.
These are beautiful sentiments, and everyone must hope that both countries mean what they say; but of course every contract which is not mutually advantageous must ultimately resolve itself into a mere scrap of paper. Look what happened to the Versailles Treaty! In the present case, however, the pact may really endure, for it secures to Russia abot all she wanted from Estonia - an ice-free Baltic port and two strategically located airdromes; while Estonia retains what she especially values - her own language, her own form of democratic government, and her own economic system. She is thus in no invidious sense a Russian protectorate, because she keeps her independence; but she has the Russian military strength to fall back upon in case any great power attempts to invade her or to use her for its own advantage.
The Pact provides that each party shall give the other every assistance, including miltary assistance, and the two nations agree not to conclude any allance or participate in any coalition directed against either of them. This, of course, means that Russia will protect Estonia against any German ambitions; and Estonia will not permit England or France to use her territory to assault Russia. The latter also agrees to help Estonia with anything she may need in the way of armaments or other military equipment.
(To be continued)
A Search For a Happy Country (45)
Archived Articles | 18 Jun 2002 | Marion Foster WashburneEWR
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