The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-17

Several hundred persons were present for the local Lithuanian in- dependence day celebration which took place at St. JoSeph's hall last night under the sponsorship of the local branch of the Federation of Lithuanian Catholic Societies of America, Stanley GabaliauSkas, a Lithuanian lawyer who came to this country last September after Russia occupied his native land, stirred the audience with a colorful talk on Lithuania's new struggle.
 The John w. Stokes Fife 6E Drum corps performed before the lecture, and the St. Joseph's choir, directed by Prof. Alexander J. Aleksis, sang several selections, including God Bless America" and the lithuanian national anthem. Marcell Andrikis and Adele Greblunas were soloists.
 A collection for the Lithuanian Aid fund netted over one hundred dollars. The money will be sent to the Chicago headquarters of the Federation of Lithuanian Catholic societies which is conducting the drive for aid to Lithuania.
 The visiting lecturer, speaking in Lithuanian, told the audience that if the dictators win out in the pres ent European struggle democracy in this country will not be able to Survivev the work of foreign agents. He told of the work of Russian agents in Lithuania and of the trickery employed by the Bolsheviks before their invasion of the Baltic state.
 Only several weeks before the oc- cupatio1, MT. Gabaliauskas told the audience, the Bolsheviks had sent ministers to Kaunas to make ar arrangements for the return of 100,- 900 Lithuanians from Russia, giving the Lithuanian people great joy by this kindness. All this time and for months before Russian soldiers were hedaing for Lithuania from Siberia, he added.
 The speaker blamed the loss of democratic principles in Lithuania for the lack of resistance to the Russian invasion. He expressed con- fidence that had the people been informed of the state of relations between their country and the Soviet Union, then preparations for resistance would have been forced, and the people would not have watched their fatherland succumh to Russia overnight.
 Mir GabaliauskaS told of the dis order that resulted when Lithuanian towns were filled with Russian leaders, many of them criminals. who knew nothing of governing but rejected Lithuanian held. He spoke of the confiscation of property and goods, and of the shootings of lead ing patriots without trial.
 The Bolsheviks tell the people, he stated. that when the Russian rev. olution is completed and the pro- letariat comes into power the Lith- uanians will have everything they want. But in reality, he added, they are trying to kill the Lithuanian race so there will be no possibility of another try for Lithuanian inde- depndence.
 A question period followed MT. GabaliauSkas' lecture. Prof. Alex ander J. Aleksis, president of the Federation of Lithuanian Catholic Societies of America, was chairman of the celebration. His assistants included Rev. Benedict Guaranskas, Peter Jakubauskas, Miss Marcelle Andrikis, Mrs. Martha Zailckas, Mrs. Marcella Digimas. MT. and Mrs. John Barkauskas, Mrs. Magdalen Karinauskas and Anthony Sam baris.
 Members fo St. Anne's society of St. JoSeph's church, at their monthly meeting held yesterday af- ternoon at the old St. Joseph's school, discussed plans for a card party, which will take place Friday, February 2l, at 8 o'clock, at St. Joseph'S hall.
 The final meeting of the commit fnn In Nha roo 0f tho ;o