Nepriklausomybė ar unija: Steigiamojo Seimo požiūris į santykius su Lenkija
Independence or Commonwealth: the Relationship between the Constituent Assembly and Poland

Summary/Abstract: The article analyzes the attitude of the Constituent Assembly (Seimas) towards the relations with Poland as well as negotiations with Poland and Polish political groups in the Vilnius region with the aim to regain this region. Lithuanian Constituent Assembly resorted to various measures pursuing this aim: sent a delegation to Warsaw, established contacts with the Polish political groups of the Vilnius region, came up with certain proposals both for Warsaw and Vilnius. M. Römeris and A. Babianskis initiated consultations between members of the Lithuanian Seimas and representatives of Polish political groups; however, these initiatives were approved only by scanty and not influential Polish People Union “Odrodzenie”, which supported J. Pilsudski’s ideas. The Polish community in the Vilnius district was strongly and negatively influenced by the idea that Vilnius might be occupied by the Lithuanian army; this meant for them occupation and slavery. The Lithuanian government gave promises that the Polish language could be used in schools, churches and municipalities and even hinted about territorial autonomy; however, for the Polish side these promises seemed insufficient. Therefore, Lithuanian Polish launched a project “Major Lithuania” which, improved by the Polish federalists, became Hymans project. In these negotiations Lithuania made significant concessions in order to reach its aim, but the Lithuanian society strongly objected to the delimitation of sovereignty. Though the Lithuanian delegation, some Government members and the leaders of the Populist fraction approved of this project, Seimas took into consideration public opinion and rejected the project.

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