Self-proclaimed diplomats: Catalan–Lithuanian cooperation during WWI

Abstract

The topic of international cooperation between national movements before the end of World War I (WWI) has still not received sufficient scholarly attention. It is common for national historiographies to concentrate on the case of their own nation. When it comes to international relations, however, connections with neighboring nations and national movements – chief adversaries in the achievement of national goals – are usually prioritized. Nevertheless, even before and especially during the war there was a vibrant scene where non-dominant nationalities could practice international diplomacy, conduct discussions, share experiences, build coalitions, and so on. This article explores one of such examples of international relations conducted between the representatives of two nations – the Catalans and the Lithuanians. They came in contact before the war at the Paris-based Union des Nationalités (the Union of Nationalities), an organization that was designed to unite and support non-dominant national movements. Despite being located on the opposite sides of Europe and having no apparent direct connections, the Lithuanians and the Catalans established common ground for cooperation, which especially peaked during WWI.

Keywords:

• World War I
• Catalans
• Lithuanians
• nationalism
• international cooperation

Notes

1. As Pélissier explained in one of his informational letters, the organization was aimed at

isolated nationalities, which left to themselves can do nothing to regain their liberty or safeguard their autonomy and independence, we urged their grouping, leaguing and uniting for getting to know one another, and creating amongst them a sort of moral federation as a prelude to and condition of a closer union. (Pélissier 1912, 119)

2. It is interesting to note that among the supporters of the UdN was the future American President Woodrow Wilson, although whether he was actually involved in the organization is not clear.

3. It is worth noting that Gabrys gave lectures on the Lithuanians, which were rather well-referenced in the introduction by Seignobos. The Catalans, on the other hand, received special attention: a separate chapter was composed by a specialist on the Iberian Peninsula, Angel Marvaud (Marvaud 1913).

4. See correspondence between the folklorist Rossend Serra i Pagès (1863–1929) and Pélissier, 1911–1912, Arxiu Històric de la Ciutat de Barcelona. The journalist contacted him to obtain names of possible candidates for patronage.

5. Pouvreau claimed that she was with Gabrys since 1911 (Pouvreau's letter to Bartuška (Paris, 20 June 1922), Lithuanian National Library, Rare Books and Manuscripts Section, Fond F29–1501, 34).

6. Twenty years later Gabrys rebuffed these accusations, stating that all along his strategy was gaining the best possible outcome for the Lithuanians no matter who would have won the war. German annexation of Lithuania meant that they became the new power in his homeland, and therefore without any moral reservations he started dealing with the Germans (Gabrys 1937).

7. It is somewhat unclear whether Pouvreau and Maseras knew each other before this meeting. Most probably they met in Paris, where Maseras had worked as a journalist since 1910. There were rumors that they might have been in a romantic relation before her involvement with Gabrys. The existence of such a personal connection could also explain the relative easiness and success of Pouvreau's tour in Spain.

8. This internationalization had many forms. For example, Maseras was an active member of the Comitè de Germanor amb els Voluntaris Catalans (Catalan Volunteers Brotherhood Committee), which was established to support Catalan volunteers in the French Foreign Legion – an act that in the future might have influenced France's support (Alomar 1915; Esculies and Martínez Fiol 2014).

9. See, for example: “Hostessa illustre” 1916, 2; “Per la Lithuania. Conferència Mlle. Pouvreau” 1916, 1; “Sobre Lituània. Conferència important” 1916, 1; “Para que Lituania viva” 1916, 10–11.

10. “Per la Lithuania. Conferència de Mlle. Ivonne Pouvreau” 1916, 1.

11. “En voz baja” 1916, 1; “A l'Ateneo de Madrid” 1916, 2; “Propaganda nacionalista” 1916, 1; “Mlle. I. Pouvreau en el Ateneo” 1916, 18.

12. Lithuanians planned that Pouvreau would tour the USA together with the Russian opera singer Rozova, thus combining entertainment and public lectures. However, probably due to the lack of funding, the trip was cancelled (Misiūnas 2004, 90 (footnote)).

13. “La nova Europa que s'obira,” 1915, 4; “Havana” 1915, 4.

14. La Nació 1916, 5–6. Hungary was seen as an oppressed nation that aimed to oppress others.

15. “La III Conferència de les Nacionalitats de Lausanne,” La Nació, July 8, 1916, 5–6; “La III Conferència de les Nacionalitats, de Lausanne,” La Nació, August 5, 1916, 5–6; “III Conferencia de las Nacionalidades,” El Poble Català, July 24, 1916, 1; “III Conferència de les Nationalitats. L'exposició,” El Poble Català, July 25, 1916, 1; Gabrys 1917, 78–86.

16. “El banquete de los lituanos,” La Veu de Catalunya, August 13, 1916, 1; “Una intervenció lloable,” La Nació, August 12, 1916, 4.

17. La Nació, October 21, 1916, 8.

18. “Pro-Lituània,” Gent Nova. Portaveu del Centre Catalanista Gent Nova de Badalona, December 2, 1916, 5–6; “Per l'amorosiment del calvari lituà,” La Nació, December 9, 1916, 7. Information about the preparations for the collects in the USA and Spain was also announced in the German-controlled Lithuanian press. The official newspaper in the Lithuanian language, Dabartis (The Present), informed that the Catalan initiative was headed by Senator Joan Garriga i Massó (1871–1956) (“Naujas veiksmas Lietuvai šelpti,” Dabartis 93, 1916, 1).

19. As an example, Pau Turull, director of the nationalist magazine Messidor; Joan Pérez-Jorba, art critic established in Paris; Lluís Nicolau d'Olwer, lawyer and Medievalist, member of the Youths of the Lliga (5), Ferran Valls Taberner, Medievalist, professor of the former and member of the Lliga (5); Albert Bastardas, lawyer and vice-president of the Mancomunitat, leading member of UFNR (5), Manuel Folguera Duran, engineer and member of Unió Catalanista (10); Frederic Pell Cuffí, doctor and member of Unió Catalanista (5); the writer and friend of Maseras, Narcís Oller, 5; Pilar Puig Macià, daughter of Josep Puig i Cadafalch (15); Joaquim Casas Carbó, lawyer and editor (5); Joan Cirera Sampere, doctor (10); Ramon Enric Bassegoda, poet and journalist (5); Josep Ros Guell (5), Anfós Sans Rosell, writer and member of Unió Catalanista (2,50), among others.

20. “Per la Lituània” La Nació, December 23, 1916, 2; “Per la Lituània” La Nació, January 13, 1917, 3; “Per la Lituània” La Nació, February 3, 1917, 4; “Per la Lituània” La Nació, La Nació, February 17, 1917, 3; “Per la Lituània” La Nació, March 8, 1917, 8; La Nació, April 7, 1917, 8; La Vanguardia, February 2, 1917, 3; La Vanguardia, April 1, 1917, 5; La Vanguardia, June 2, 1917, 3; La Vanguardia, August 21, 1917, 3.

21. For example: La Nació, June 10, 1916, 8; August 5, 1916, 4; August 19, 1916, 6; August 26, 1916, 2; September 9, 1916, 4; October 7, 1916, 4; November 25, 1916, 7.

22. “De Ginebra estant,” La Veu de Catalunya, October 2,1935, 11.