World War II started on September 1, 1939 with the Invasion of Poland.
Lithuania declared strict neutrality but, as the war was approaching its borders, it declared and executed partial mobilization on September 17.
Citing financial difficulties, the mobilized men were released on October 2.
At the same time, negotiations began for the Soviet–Lithuanian Mutual Assistance Treaty: Soviet Union promised to cede a portion of Vilnius Region to Lithuania in exchange for stationing 20,000 Soviet troops in the country.
Raštikis was a member of the Lithuanian delegation to Moscow, but he did not lead the Lithuanian troops who entered Vilnius for the first time since 1920 on October 28.
It was the first public sign that Raštikis was losing favor with Smetona's regime.
In November, Černius was replaced by Antanas Merkys who had been openly critical of Raštikis in the past.
In addition to being Prime Minister, Merkys wanted to become Minister of Defense (a position he already held in 1919 and 1927), but Raštikis protested and Musteikis retained his post.

Around the New Year, Raštikis published his thoughts on the recent developments in Kardas magazine.
In it, he complained that a mayor (Merkys' position before becoming Prime Minister) or other civil servants earned more than the Commander of the Armed Forces.
The issue was taken out of circulation and Raštikis tendered a letter of resignation.
However, fearing public backlash, he was officially given a three-month vacation for "health reasons".
In his duties, Raštikis was replaced not by his deputy divisional general Stasys Pundzevičius, but by Vincas Vitkauskas who had no higher military education.
After the vacation, Raštikis resigned and refused any other military positions.
On April 23, 1940, Smetona promoted him to divisional general and accepted the resignation.
Raštikis used the free time to visit his family in Dūkštas which was part of the ceded Vilnius Region.
World War II started on September 1, 1939 with the Invasion of Poland. Lithuania declared strict neutrality but, as the war was approaching its borders, it declared and executed partial mobilization on September 17. Citing financial difficulties, the mobilized men were released on October 2. At the same time, negotiations began for the Soviet–Lithuanian Mutual Assistance Treaty: Soviet Union promised to cede a portion of Vilnius Region to Lithuania in exchange for stationing 20,000 Soviet troops in the country. Raštikis was a member of the Lithuanian delegation to Moscow, but he did not lead the Lithuanian troops who entered Vilnius for the first time since 1920 on October 28. It was the first public sign that Raštikis was losing favor with Smetona's regime. In November, Černius was replaced by Antanas Merkys who had been openly critical of Raštikis in the past. In addition to being Prime Minister, Merkys wanted to become Minister of Defense (a position he already held in 1919 and 1927), but Raštikis protested and Musteikis retained his post.
Around the New Year, Raštikis published his thoughts on the recent developments in Kardas magazine. In it, he complained that a mayor (Merkys' position before becoming Prime Minister) or other civil servants earned more than the Commander of the Armed Forces. The issue was taken out of circulation and Raštikis tendered a letter of resignation. However, fearing public backlash, he was officially given a three-month vacation for "health reasons". In his duties, Raštikis was replaced not by his deputy divisional general Stasys Pundzevičius, but by Vincas Vitkauskas who had no higher military education. After the vacation, Raštikis resigned and refused any other military positions. On April 23, 1940, Smetona promoted him to divisional general and accepted the resignation. Raštikis used the free time to visit his family in Dūkštas which was part of the ceded Vilnius Region.
Stasys Raštikis