Dirva = Field. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1915-current, 1947-01-31

that here in New York CITY. the
most cosmopolitan city in the world
and which has recently become ths
center of world politics, we are to-
day witnessing the modest but de-
termined efforts in the field of phi
lanthropic activities: the United Ii
lithuanian Relief Fund of America
Inc, has fittingly chosen this oc-
casion to inaugurate the official
opening of it's 1947 drive for con-
tributions which are so needed for
its relief activities among the dis
placed persons in Western Europe
where such activities are as needed
and welcomed. l consider it an
honor and high privilege, as we'll
as my pleasant duty to attend this
meeting, and to address this dis
tinguished audience where patriotic
Americans of Lithuanian descent.
together with their distinguished
American friends, are united for
the divine purpose of extending mo-
raj and material assistance to their
needy brethren in Europe, who, as
victims of aggression and war. have
been SO mercilessly stricken.
From the outset of World War
Ii, Lithuania, situated between two
great totalitarian powers - Soviet
Russia and Nazi Germany - suf-
fered the fullest measure of the
fury of war and of aggression. Her
cities and villages were burned, her
people were enslaved, mistreated,
and were deported by the thousands
to the interior of Russia and Ger
many; but this is not all: Lithuania
has been perfidiously robbed Of
her most precious possession: Of
her independence and of her other
fundamental rights.
Though the Lithuanian peoples
Freedom their welfare, and their
happiness have undergone a total
eclipse, they, nevertheless, have not
ceased to resist the forces of evil:
they continue to believe that JUS
tice will finally prevail. All they
wish for, the present is to be able
to survive their heavy load of suf-
ferings and uncertainties. / am
confident that l express the convic-
tion of all present there when |
say that these victims of war and
of power politics are entitled to
every assistance to enable them
not only to survive but also to re-
cover their brutally extorted rights.
Thousands of Lithuanians in their
homeland, and those in Siberian
exile, are in need of help and of
protection which unfortunately can
not reach them. About 10000 of
these refugees and displaced Lith-
uanians in the zones of military oc-
cupation who can easily be reached
need continuous assistance before
their resettlement takes place or
before their homeland is liberated
from dictatorial alien domination to
make their repatriation possible.
understand that it is the intention
of the United Lithuanian Relief
Fund to cooperate with UNRRA and
with the Preparatory Commission
of IRO to the fullest extent, es-
pecially in exigency cases, such as
sudden sickness, loss of job, con-
troversial loss of DIP status, old
age, care for expectant mothers
infant care, lack of medical supplies
and medical facilities, etc.
1t must be kept in mind that the
care for refugees and displaced per-
sons that comes from UNRRA has
been often insufficient in the past,
and there is now tendency toward
curtailment. American assistance
has helped to overcome many of
these difficulties. Medical sup
plies sent to us by the United Lith-
uanian Relief Fund from America,
though not in sufficient quantities
to satisfy all pressing needs, never
theless, have helped US to con-
siderable degree in many instances:
especially of great help were the
vitamns for children, precious in
sulin, calcium iodatum, and other
genuine drugs; these have been i"
us as gifts from Heaven, so stat
ed Prof. Kanauka, DIP doctor, in
one of his reports to the Lithuan-
ian Red Cross which is striving to
serve the DPS in all emergency
cases.
On behalf of the victimized Lith-
uanian exiles, DPS and refugees,
l take this opportunity to thank
the American people for their gen.
erous heart, and 1 am grateful to
!