Prisoner--Dictator

Prisoner--Dictator

Professor Augustine Valdemaras is not only Lithuania's most enterprising politician but also its most spectacular citizen. As student and later Wartime professor of Greek and Latin in Petrograd he led the agitation in Russia for Lithuanian Independence. Escaping from Russia during the Revolution he appeared as Lithuania's chief delegate at the Paris Peace Conference (1919-20) where he made a reputation for himself by incessantly demanding the Port of Vilna (Poland) for Lithuania. Returning to his homeland, he became Prime Minister, then Dictator in 1926. Not long before he lost his dictatorship an attempt was made to assassinate him (TIME, May 20, 1929) which resulted in the death of his aide and his small grand- nephew. Professor Valdemaras remained unscathed.

Out of office, he resorted to writing unpleasant letters to President Antanas Smetona. The letters finally caused his arrest. Characteristically. Professor Valdemaras insisted on signing the order for his arrest himself, since he was still Lithuania's Prime Minister. Then he allowed himself to be interned on an estate near Kroettingen for one year.

Last week came more news of kinetic, scrub-brush-headed Professor Valdemaras. Into the woods near Kroettingen he innocently disappeared with two friends. Ostensibly they had set out for a walk. When they came to a road, a car quietly pulled up alongside them. Professor Valdemaras & friends had started to get in when up sprang an alert guard, ordering them to halt. Vainly did the Professor argue that he was just going to take "a little ride in the country."

Back to the estate he was escorted, put under double surveillance. Newsmen were not allowed to see him. Eight of his associates were arrested.

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