The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1943-02-20

, The current issue Of the Jesuit
weekly, America" carries several
important articles dealing with
Lithuania, and comments editori-
ally on this country's "Silver Jubi-
lee" The article which we print
below Is entitled, 'Lithuania En-
tombed by War Looks for q ReSur-
rection," and Is by Rev. Anthony
j. Miciunis, presently associate edi-
tor Of "Drauga," Lithuania Catho-
lie publication In Chicago. Another
article in the same issue Is by Rev.
John B. Kidykas, Jesuit mission
airy who has visited Waterbury and
will visit this city next month.
Following is Father Miciunas'
article:
February 10 Of this year will
mark the twenty fifth anniversary
Of new" Lithuania's declaration Of
Independence. The word new"
does not. mean that this small.
peace-loving Baltic country is re-
cent or q postwar nation. Lithu-
ania has long and q valiant past
history. Lithuania lived an inde-
pendent life as q state from the
thirteenth to the sixteenth century,
and later, In union with Poland,
when both States were ruled by the
famous Jagellonian dynasty OF
Lithuanian princes.
+ But Lithuania lost her independ-
ence completely in the partition Of
this Lithuanian Polish state, in
1795. and remained q. subjugated
nation until 1918, when an Allied
victory allowed her to make a sue
cessful dash for q free life.
In Nazi Hands
On the eve Of this memorable an
niverEary, as loyal Lithuanians
throughout the world and American
friends Of Lithuanian prepare to
observe that ire Birthday" Lithu-
ania finds herself In the clutches
OF q German occupation, just as
she was on February 16, 1918, when
she defied German militaristS and
declared herself free nation.
AS in World War !. Lithuanian,
since the beginning Of the current
struggle, has again been the hap
less victim Of a double devastation,
first by the Russians, in 1910, and
then, in 1941, by the NaN hordes,
who even at this time continue to
WELD tyrannical rule under the
guise of protection"
After being bled, trampled and
abused by the Red savageS for
whole year, Lithuanian hoped that
a German occupation might be the
lesser Of two evils. But once the
Teutons began their protecting"
she saw that thee aggressors were
two of kind-both destroyers and
killers. one a od-thirsty bear, and
the other a snarling wolf.
In spite of depressing conditions
and Incompatible odds, these
peaceful, fair skinned peoples Of the
Nemunas Valley undaunted, burn
with an ardent hope that their
freedom will again be restored.
They have been subjugated many
times before, but never conquered.
They realize that all-out resistance
would be suicidal because Of the
negligible offensive measures at
their disposal and. furthermore, be-
cause they are still nursing gaping
wounds.
yet Lithuania Is meeting her re-
sponsibility by doing all she can to
help herself and other oppressed
nations regain their sacred right TO
lead q self determined. free lie. IN
spite OF great pressure. and even
death OF their loved ones, Llthu-
anians are feverishly resisting the
Nazi invasion. They are working
for an Allied victory. basing their
hope of security and future lnde-
nendence on the dleay-eut tenets
Of the Atlantic charter.
Deadly Thrusts
Al present, Nthnansa Is living
through not only Q national Or 20"
liticaI crisis. Ia addition deadly
thFusts are being aimed NJ the ufe-
lines Of her religious Faith. A. the
long, slinly tenlaeles Of the NAB
octopus tighten about heE--A pros
lrals, but llghting vleiim-they aim
10 snnff out the llferkiVlng eenlefs
Of her deep. loyal Catholic faith.
Llthuanla whose peoples are
over eighty per cent Catholic - was
the Last Of the European countries
~ embrace Christianity, NalioHni
conversion waa achieved ~ Sa1e,
WHEN tl1a Lithuanian Duke Sogaala
IecelVad Ia marriage ne hand q
5adpyBa, heiFnan v we Follsb
rHaWll.