The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-08-22

Explanation of the fact that many
Lithuanians in Bridgeport refused to
sign papers when they appeared be-
by a committee of prominent men of
that nationality. IN.
They expressed it as their belief
that the experiences gained by Lith-
uaaians in Russia, where, when they
signed papers they did not under
stand, regrettable occurrences en-
sued, caused the action of the Lith-
uanians. A letter received by The
Farmer follows:
Aug. IS, 1915
bridgeport Evening Farmer:
Genthemen-In the issue of the
Brtduepot Evening Farmer under
date Iof Aug IA, there appeared a
statement under heading Cannot
Induce Lithuanians to Sign Docu-
ments = We. the undersigned. beg
to submit to the readers of The Even
ing Farmer and public in general, an
explanation to that effect.
If the Lithuanians refuse to sign
documents including such documents
that exempt them from the service
In the army. it is more from, the BIT
ter experience of the past, that they
are refusing to sign document un-
less the contents and the meaning
Is clear to them.
Living for generations under des-
potic rule of the old Russian regime,
where persecution of the Lithuanians
had no bounds, they have learneds to
look with distrust upon any docu-
ment that was ever presented to
them for their signature unless It's
contents and meaning was clearly
understood by them During the
dark DAYS of persecution many Lith-
uanians had lived to regret the sign
ing of the documents and unless 1t
was clearly understood by them. they
have refused to sign their names TO
any paper presented to them, there
fore. it is our true conviction that
the only reason why Lithuanians re-
fused to sign documents Is that the
true meaning of the document was
not known to them. Had they known
the meaning Of the documents the
First district board or any other
board in the city would not have had
any difficulty with Lithuanians.
The fact that a, very large percent
age of Lithuanians are barely able to
make their daily needs known IN
English, leaving alone the matters OF
more IMPORTANCE should receive some
consideration, and when large num-
Der of. questions is put before them
the result is they become confused
and not knowing what it is all about
fatty refuse to sign documents.
whether or not the Lithuanians in
the city of Bridgeport had been ad-
yised by any one to take the stand
| against the draft we are not aware
| of it; one thing we can safely say Is
| that the Lithuanian newspapers anc
! prominent men among them hat
| been preaching the doctrine of 10y
| atty to the United States. The 10y.
atty of the Lithuanians has beef
clearly revealed by their prompt and
willing appearance before the boards
/ This fact alone not only. indicate
1 that there has not been movemen
| of any kind among Lithuanians tt
| Illustrate the draft, but in itsel
clearly indicates their willingness tt
| obey the law.
| we beg to be understood that w,
| are not tryira, to eliminate the rud'
| behavior. of some Lithuanians tina
appeared before the district boards
| neither do we claim that some of tn
| Lithuanians are not trying to avoit
draft, for this movement is country
| wide, and has originated elsewhere
| that some of the Lithuanians hat
followed this movement must be ex
pected.
Our aim is to bring before the read
| ers Of The Evening Farmer the rea
son why Lithuanians had SO openl,
refused to sign documents, and thu
reason is: that they are not aware o
the true meaning of the documents