Council of Lithuania
The council managed to establish the proclamation of independence despite the presence of German troops in the country until the autumn of 1918.
The council continued its efforts until the Constituent Assembly of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Steigiamasis Seimas) first met on 15 May 1920.
[3] However, the conference, held between 18 and 23 September 1917, adopted a resolution that an independent Lithuania should be established and that a closer relationship with Germany would depend on whether it recognized the new state.
[1] The conference also resolved that a constituent assembly be elected "in conformity with democratic principles by all the inhabitants of Lithuania".
[4] The twenty men who composed the initial council were of different ages (the youngest was 25; the oldest 66), social status, professions, and political affiliations.
The first change in membership took place on 13 July 1918, when six new members (Martynas Yčas, Augustinas Voldemaras, Juozas Purickis, Eliziejus Draugelis, Jurgis Alekna and Stasys Šilingas) were admitted and the four socialists (Steponas Kairys, Jonas Vileišis, Mykolas Biržiška, Stanisław Narutowicz) resigned (in protest over the election of Mindaugas II).
[10] (Vaclau Lastouski, Ivan Luckievich, Jan Stankievič, Dominik Semashko, Władysław Tołoczko, Kazimierz Falkiewic) on 27 November 1918.
On 11 December, the council adopted a resolution agreeing to a "firm and permanent alliance" with Germany on the basis of the four conventions.
[1] The declaration, seen as pro-German, was an obstacle in establishing diplomatic relations with England, France and the United States, the enemies of Germany.
[12] On 8 January 1918, the same day that Woodrow Wilson announced his Fourteen Points, the council proposed amendments to the declaration of 11 December calling for a constituent assembly.
On 16 February, the council, temporarily chaired by Jonas Basanavičius, decided to re-declare independence, this time mentioning nothing specific about a relationship with Germany.
[3] As an alternative, on 4 June 1918, the council voted to invite Wilhelm Karl, Duke of Urach, Count of Württemberg, to become the monarch of Lithuania.
[14] The council was not allowed to determine the borders of Lithuania, establish an embassy in Berlin, or begin forming a stable administrative system.
[2] The situation changed when the German Revolution started and Germany lost the war in the fall of 1918 – it was no longer in a position to dictate terms.
The decision to invite King Mindaugas II was annulled and this helped to reconcile the political factions.
[2] The functions of government were entrusted to a three-member presidium, and Augustinas Voldemaras was invited to form the first Cabinet of Ministers.
