The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-02-14

0Cn aI1IllVerSdTy O1 CIle 1OuA1u- mia.
 No one has any more right to ir- terfere with the Lithuanian cause or with the sovereignty of Lithuania than a thief has to 8 stolen ar- ticle," the congressman stated.
 Tracing the migration of the vari- ous European nationals to this coun- try, Congressman Monkiewicz stated, They brought their customs, tradi- tions, culture, and civilization, and their physical strength and good, clean minds to this country. Then they offered and placed all they had for American use. America solded 1t into the finest civilization and the finest government in the world"
 Praise was expressed by the con- gressman for the efforts of Ameri- cans of Lithuanian descent for their efforts in behalf of their ancestral land. He said, Having tasted the freedom and liberties of this great country it is little wonder that you want the people on the other side to enjoy the same type of liberty" He expressed the hope that continued support of this country'S war efforts will result for victory here and vic- tory for the oppressed nations of Europe.
 The meeting brought together one of the largest groups of Lithuanian leaders and dignitaries present for single occasion here in many years. Among the special guests was Povi- las Zadeikis of Washington, D. C., Lithuanian envoy to the United States. Presiding at the meeting was Dr. Peter Vileisis, council pres- ident, whose father was the first Lithuanian ambassador to this country.
 MT. Zadeikis told of hopes that the freedom of Lithuania will be re- stored after the war and stated that the Atlantic Charter guarantees will not fail. He urged the audience to ignore the propaganda aimed at de- stroying their faith, and to put all their hope in the Allied leaders. He expressed a firm belier that when victory is won here freedom will re- turn to the subjugated nations of Europe.
 Attorney Joseph Bagocius of Bos- ton, national president of the Luth- eranian Alliance of America, who related the history of Lithuania, told of the struggles made by Lithuan- ians against oppression for many centuries. He discussed the suppress sion of all Lithuanian cultural &C., tivitieS during the CzariSt regime and declared Tt is a wonder tlnt we survived at all"
 America will not lay down its arms until there is absolute, total, unconditional surrender of that pest of humanity; Germany" he said in discussing the current subjugation of Lithuania and other previously independent nations.
 Messages were read at the meeting from Governor Raymond E. Bald win, Senator Francis Maloney. Sena- tor John A. Danaher, Congressman Clare Booth Luce, and Congress man Joseph Talbot. The governor stated in part" Because Lithuania was always a nation at peace with the world, because she freely gave to the world 8 margin of her pro duce and the fruits of her honest ef- forts, I am sure that the return of decency to international relations will again find Lithuania in the high rank of nations that her noble and honorable qualities have heretofore established for her.
 A special guest at the meeting was Mrs. John Sniekcus of Burr street, father of Marine Private First Class Bronislaw Snieckus who is accred- ited with killing 27 Japs in recent action at Namur in the Marshall Is- lands. A bouquet of 27 roses was pre- Sented to the honored mother.
 Other speakers at the exercises were: Rev. Joseph J. Valantiejus, pastor of St. Joseph's church: Harry Liebeskind, president of the local Jewish council; Dr. Joseph May, president of the local Polish club; Joseph Manganaro, national presi- dent of the Unico club and former local president; Attorney Albert Bronsky, Attorney Clarence V. Bal anda, Jacob Treciokas, president of the Lithuanian Committee for the Defense of America; Miss Marcelle Andrikis, and Mrs. John Zailckas.
 A reception for the visiting diplo- mat was held at the home of MT. and Mrs. John zailckas of Highland avenue, following the meeting.
 The program was arranged by a committee headed by Thomas Matas. The master of ceremonies was m- troduced by MT. Matas.