Kaunas, Lithuania, about 1926 or 1927. This is the villa occupied by the German Minister (
here's the doggie). The
American Consul to Lithuania
wrote:
[September 19,
1926] "At the top of the so-called green hill, where there is a fine view
of Kovno, we saw the home of the German minister. It is a detachable wooden
house brought from Germany. As there is a great scarcity of apartments here and
it is only now that a start has been made in erecting modern and sanitary
buildings, the Germans solved their housing problem in a very practical manner—they
brought their house with them."
[Otober 25,
1926] "At noon, I returned the German minister's call and this afternoon
he [Minister Moraht] and Mrs. Moraht called on us. They are pleasant people and
we hope to see much of them."
[October 30,
1926] "From [there], we went to the German Minister's house, which is also
on the 'green hill.' It is small and has an unfinished appearance inside because
the walls are not papered. The walls and ceilings are of wood painted a dark
brown, but there may be rooms with more cheerful colors. Mrs. Moraht said that
they have ordered another room which will be sent from Germany in pieces and
set up by German workmen who will come for that purpose."
[February 5, 1927] "This
evening we had dinner with the Morahts at their villa on the green hill, this
being the first party they have given since the house was enlarged and their
furniture installed. It is nicely furnished with some fine old furniture and a
number of beautiful oriental rugs. The dinner was rather elaborate, beginning
with caviar on toast and ending with ice cream. They served excellent German
wines and champagne. The cognac, dated 1830, was also German. At about midnight
we went to the Hotel Metropole where there was a ball. The place was crowded
and everybody seemed to be in good spirits. Mr. Moraht took the party to the Metropole
(It took two trips). Mr. Moraht took us home in his car at three o'clock. It
was a pleasant and interesting evening."
Thanks to the
Consul's granddaughter for making this photo and narrative available to us.
