Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/1301

 RILIOION — INSTRUCTION — FINANCE

1*49

lation, 145,000). But until the status of the Lithuanian State is determined, the Merael territory is temporarily placed under the administration of the Allied Powers.

The rural and urban population in Lithuania in 1914 was as follows :—

Drfaaa

Per cent.

Rural

Per cent.

Vilna. Kovno.

Suvalki

195,100

'.'7, '.'00

12-6 105 184

1,786.700

1,662,000

620,100

87-4 89-5 81-6

582,200

13-S

MM^tM

86 2

For every thousand males there are females in Vilna, 1,014; in Kovno, 1,077 : and in Suvalki, 1,058; making an average of 1,049 for the whole country.

The capital of Lithuauia is Vilnius (Vilna), with a population of 214,600 in 1914. Othrr large towns were: Kaunas (Kovno), 90,300; Gardinas (Grodno), 61,600; Klaipeda (Memel), 32,000; Suvalkai (Suvalki), 31,600: and Siauliai (Sharli), 31,300.

Religion. — In the three districts of Vilna, Kovno, and Suvalki Roman Catholics form 75 percent., Jews 12 per cent., Greek Orthodox 9 per cent., Protestants and Calvinists 4 per cent.

Instruction. — At present there are about 1,630 grammar schools, 31 secondary schools, 42 public high schools, and several technical and agri- cultural schools. It was intended to open an English grammar school in Lithuania in the autumn of 1920. In 1834 the Russian Government closed the University of Vilna ; plans are being formed for its re-opening.

Finance. — The budget for 1920 provided for a revenue of 684,000,000 marks, and an expenditure of 768,050,000 marks, leaving a deficit of 84,050,000 marks.

Lithuania has come to an arrangement with a British banking group, in whose hands it will place its entire financial and commercial future. The British group is to advance the sum of 3 millions sterling for the foundation of the Lithuanian National Bank.

The estimated value of State property in 1919 is given as follows : — State lorests, 47,445,500/.; confiscated lands, 7,371,000/.; State lands (lakes excluded), 8,840,000/.; and lakes, open spaces in towns, and buildings, 10,000,000/.; making a total of 71,656,500/.

This figure does not include the value of State railways and other means of communication.

By the recent Treaty of Peace of Moscow, Russia takes over, in place of an indemnity for the damage done by the Russian Army, the whole of the old Russian debt devolviug on Lithuania ; in addition, it was agreed to hand over to Lithuania 3,000,000 roubles in gold and to concede to Lithuania 100,000 hectares of forests.

The arrangement in regard to debts between Lithuania and Germany is still uu-ler discussion. Germany during the war supplied Lithuania with merchandise and gave financial help to the value of about 100,000,000 marks. But, on the other hand, it assumed the right of issuiug money, which it still

4 L