The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1920-09-16
.STIRS INTEREST
FOR LITHUANIA
VIM. Vaskas, Ardent Ora
tor for Little Republic,
Raises Thousands.
FOR REPUBLICANS

Subscriptions totaling thousands of
dollars in Lithuanian Liberty bonds and
unanimous support Of the national re-
publican slate resulted after William
Vaskas, representing the Lithuanian
Mission, had addressed a capacity
audience at St. Peters hall on Tues
day evening.
Mr. Vaskas has been aptly described
in advance notices as the modern
Cicero. He has travelled so extensively
in European countries, studying condi-
tions personally, and feels so. keenly
the incidents which he has witnessed
and which he himself has experienced
that he gives a vivid word description
which arouses the desired sentiment
in his hearers.
After two years service in the war"
said Mr.. Vsskas, 81 travelled for a Bos-
ton concern. / spent six months in
Lithuania and was enabled to secure a
detailed view of conditions in our
newly set up Republic. cannot de-
scribe the bitter feeling which prevails
among the Lithuanian people. During
the war the Lithuanians aided the
cause of the allies in every way pos
/ sible. There were five hundred French
men of the so-called better class i'm
prisoned in the German camp at Yur-
bark. Their condition was pitiable;
they were being starved to death
Lithuanian sympathizers struggled
food to them, often at bitter cost to
themselves. They realized that as
Republic they would some time need
aid and it was with this thought in
mind that they did everything possible
for the prisoners. When the French
men were released they were profuse
in their thanks and pledges of aid if
the need should arrive. Now where are
they and what of their promises? 1t
is as if the world had swallowed
them. The subject of the French is
very delicate one and cannot be
preached to Lithuanians.
Lithuanians Are Bitter.
1--WE American Lithuanians - and
there were 10000 of US in the army,
at least three thousand of whom paid
the supreme saerifce-believed Wilson
when he promised freedom and aid to
the smaller countries. What has he
done for us? Lithuania was invaded
by the PolesI myself have witnessed
scenes of unbelievable barbarity per-
petrated by the invading forces; ar
dent pleas were sent to the big gov
ernments. With what result? The ac-
/ tiyities of the Poles in Lithuania have
been censored. The Poles have been
in the limelight. They receive the aid
Of our president and his clique and the
ammunition and guns wrought by the
sweat Of American Lithuanians have
been turned against our brethren
over there
"But with the victory of the Repub-
licans in the coming election l firmly
believe that conditions will change.
The Republicans have always stood for
finer principles. They have always
recognized defacto governments and
am certain that they will recognize our
struggling republic. We Lithuanian
Americans, 200, 900 strong will work
heart and soul for Republican vic
tory and l believe that nine tenths Of
the German vote which was formerly
Democratic and the greater part of
the Irish vote will turn Republican
with the hope that justice will again
rule when Wilson'S autocratic one-man
rule has been deposed.
To Establish Industries.
"Outside of the political element
Lithuanian corporations are being orr
ganized throughout the United States
for the purpose of aiding our brethren
in every way possible. It is our aim
to establish industries in Lithuania
and to place it on a sound economic
basis so that in ten or fifteen years it
will be the finest industrial country in
Europe for its size"