Evening journal., 1917-01-04
uTHUAh|A SEEKS
HER INDEPENDENCE
Population Looking Forward
TO Republic Patterned on
American Lines
BIG COLONIES IN
The UNITED STATES

ion on the RussO-German baltic'
greater in extent and population than
Sweden. has had her aspirations stir
red by the war and is looking for
ward to emerging from II either as
an Independent republic patterned on
American lines. or as an autonomous
nation with its own Parliament and
home rule, subject to Russia's i'm
peTial authority only in matters or
national defence
This was the view outlined TO the
Associated Press by Martin Ychas,
member OF the Russian Duma, where
he represents the important Lithuan-
ian city OF Kovno, and occupies the
post Of Secretary OF the Finance Com
mittee. Mr.. Ychas is comforting here
with the large Lithuanian colony fol
lowing similar visits just made III the
United States.
1T should be understood said Ar'
Ycbas. that Lthuania IS entirely dis-
tinet from Poland, although the pub
lie Is IN the habit Of treating them as
one. Poland Is the great central reg
ion around Warsaw, whereas Llthu
ania and the Lett country is the vast
northern section along the Baltic
with the great ports OF Riga, Abau
and Windau. and the cities Of wilma
Grodno. Kovno and Suwalki, aggrega-
ting eight million population, or more
than any Of The secondary kingdoms
OF Europe.
Seeks Home Rule.
Lake Poland. Lithuania has her
own hopes and aspirations" contin-
ucd Mr.. Ycnas and with my col
leagues in the Duma, we have already
secured the acceptance in principle OF
complete political autonomy for
IAthuania. This means home rule
the same as Canada, with a Lithuan-
San Cabinet and Lithuanian Parlia-
ment. and with Lithuanian delegates
En- the Imperial Duma. and a bithuan-
ian viceroy from the Car.
There are unofficial hopes going
far beyond this, particularly among
lie flthuanians in the United States.
But officially we look 10 autonomy as
the first step 10 restoring hthuania
a. a nationality In the Duma the
controlling authority, the Constltu-
tional-Democrats or Cadet party, mas
accepted in principle autonomy tor
Lithuania. and II was by Cadet votes
that I. as a Lithuanian, was elected
Secretary OF the Finance Committee.
I'm America, however I found
strong movement for securing com
plete Lithuanian independence and
setting up a Lithuania-Lett republic.
Our native press in America is very
strong for independence. They look
10 the Entente Allies to secure this
as one OF the results OF the war. hold
ing that England entered the war in
defence of small natlonalities. These,
however. are unofficial hopes for the
future. and all that 7 can officially
assume Is that complete autonomy
and home rule for Lithuania is an ac-
cepted principle OF the ruling authori-
ties in the Duma. The Imperial Gov
ernment has not yet spoken, pending
invasion OF Lithuaia by Germany, but
when normal conditions are restored
the Government will undoubtedly ap-
prove the autonomy already agreed
10 in principle by the Duma"
Conditions Improved.
Mr.. Ychas says Russia has consid
erably improved political conditions
in Lithuania in recent years. Form
erly the holding OF lands by Lithuan-
ians was prohibited; the press was
prohibited: all Lithuanian books, in
cluding the Bible, were prohibited ;
holding office was prohibited All
this has been changed, Mr.. Ychas
says, and there was fair degree OF
freedom under Russian rule up 10 the
time OF the German invasion. There
were fourteen Lithuanian represen
tatives in the first and second Dumas
and FIVE ia the third and fourth
Dumas.
IL was during the old period OF re
stricting that so many Iithuanians
went to the United States added AIr
1chas, reaching 10000 a year from
1903 10 the outbreak OF the war, ans
aggregating 100000 In large colonies
throughout the United States-witl
thirty newspapers, and their owl
clubs. theatres and societies. But tn
Lithuanians in America are essential
ly Americans. They have found bet
ter social and economic conditions
they own their own homes, direc
their own business, enjoy politica
liberty, and exercise strong an
wholesome influence In politics.
Mr.. Ychas showed his faith 4
American Lithuanians by marryin
among them while on his recent triI
his wife being a daughter OF Or. Szlu
pas, Of Scranton, Pa, one OF the lead
ing publicists OF the Lithuanian
While In Londin. Nine. Ychas has ad
dressed large gatherings Of Lithuar
ians.