Vikipeedia:GLAM/Estonia-Poland relations/3
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Estonian–Polish relations during the interwar period[muuda lähteteksti]
Fighting against the Soviet Union was one of the connectors between Estonia and Poland after World War 1. Therefore, permanent correspondence between the two countries was started already in 1918. For the location of the front line and the dissemination of other militarily important information, there was an authorized representative of the Polish Headquarters in Estonia. They made several reports to the Estonian Ministry of War. The flow of information was fast and took only 2–4 days. It is worth noting that even though both countries had ties with Russian Tsarist state, the correspondence between the representatives was in French. Estonians had an interpreter at the ministry, who then forwarded the documents in Estonian language. The following official language between the two countries was also predominantly French.[1]
Well, the known fact is that Estonia's highest Order of the Cross of Liberty has so far been donated to many Polish citizens, a total of 45 people.[2] A separate commission had been set up for the extradition of the Freedom Crosses, and both the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of War could make proposals for donation[3]. Information about Polish citizens who had somehow supported the Republic of Estonia in their home country was obtained mainly through the Embassy. Poles in Estonia, who were often sent by Polish authorities or operated here for business purposes, were also closely watched. The achievements of Polish departments/people were frequently reported, which were then later observed in the form of decorations.[4] Initially, medals and decorations were awarded mainly for war-related or military merits. Still, as time went on, the more they were assigned to politicians and scholars[5]. Every little detail was also relevant here. For example, an attempt was made to maintain the balance of awards between the countries so that then another cooperation partner (Finland, Latvia) would not feel that Estonia had suddenly become better friends with Poland than with them. This was conveyed in the documents with the words "In the opinion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Polish military personnel should be awarded honorary decorations, not to a greater extent than has been awarded to Latvian and Finnish military personnel"[6]. The mutual interests of Estonia and Poland also stand out well, depending on the period. From the 1930s onwards, they were given mainly to persons involved in economic relations, as this had also become an essential aspect of Estonia-Poland.
By the 1930s, the inability of the League of Nations to resolve major conflicts had become clear to many small countries. It could be expected that Poland-Estonia would start more intensive bilateral cooperation. However, based on the findings in the archives, it seems that security cooperation in Polish-Estonian relations did not increase significantly in the 1930s. The Estonian Ministry of War and the Staff of the Defense Forces were continuously interested in the military study process of other countries and its organization. Thus, Estonian officers in Poland sent regular letters about Polish training to the Estonian defense ministry. This is in the form of observation as well as various documents (brochures). The training of young soldiers, border guard work and many other practices were described. As the soldiers who sent the information were also aware of the conditions and circumstances in Estonia, the content of these letters is precise. It contains material only as stated in one message: "Laws, regulations, activities that could be useful for our (Estonian) order.[7]
Events were also organized together. In general, not only between Estonia and Poland but also several other countries, for example, Latvia or Finland. Participation in events was often also a topic of discussion in the Estonian General Staff, as several aspects were considered. Not only that the prevailing problem between the two world wars between Poland and Lithuania put the Baltic States in an awkward position with the question: "Whom to cooperate with and how much?". But sometimes the Estonians did not participate out of the pure competition. For example, the Estonian delegation was excluded from the Polish International Equestrian Competition in 1928 for fear of embarrassing the Estonian state. The race was intense, and the Poles themselves were outstanding riders[8].
Sources[muuda lähteteksti]
- ↑ Eesti Rahvusarhiiv. "ERA.496.2.23, 170".
- ↑ Fred Puss, Agur Benno, Ivo Manfred Rebane ja Kalev Uustalu. "Eesti tänab: 1919–2001".
{{netiviide}}: CS1 hooldus: mitu nime: autorite loend (link) - ↑ Eesti Rahvusarhiiv. "ERA.957.7.100".
- ↑ Eesti Rahvusarhiiv. "ERA.957.7.178, 4".
- ↑ Eesti Rahvusarhiiv. "ERA.957.7.178, 7–9".
- ↑ Eesti Rahvusarhiiv. "ERA.957.7.178, 19".
- ↑ Eesti Rahvusarhiiv. "ERA.496.4.318, 3–5".
- ↑ Eesti Rahvusarhiiv. "ERA.496.4.318, 5".
