George Matulaitis Journal

the working classes. The articles were well written and wise, since most people were afraid that the Bolsheviks were going to avenge the death of their comrades. That day was proclaimed a workers’ holiday. Stores were closed and work stopped everywhere. Red flags were to be flown in all the houses. I was informed that in their meetings 1 and discussions the Lithuanians were trying to find ways of getting along with the Bolsheviks. In general, they are criticizing the Lithuanian Council and the Government for allowing themselves to be made fools of by the Germans. The Germans kept making promises and then dragging their feet and never getting anything done. Now it is said that they have promised uniforms and weapons to equip 10,000 soldiers and also 100 million marks. It is too late now. It would hardly make sense for the Lithuanian Council to organize an army now. The Christian Democrats say that it would be better to use the money to solve the critical problem of land reform. Discontent is being expressed that the Lithuanian Council and Government left Vilnius and are now planning to move from Kaunas to Tilsit or Gardinas (Grodno). The Executive Committee of the Christian Democratic Party had announced that land owned by the State and the large estates should immediately be distributed among the farm workers and peasants with little or no land. It was up to the Constituent Assembly to decide on appropriate compensation. That was how they had hoped to forestall the Bolshevik reforms. A delegation of several persons has been chosen to negotiate with the Bolsheviks. The Lithuanians have decided on the following: 1. not to oppose the Bolsheviks if they are ready to recognize Lithuania’s independence and allow them to try to introduce their reforms; 2. to serve as officials in Bolshevik institutions so that people of other nationalities do not gain power in Lithuania; 3. to organize an army, 2 even if it means collaborating with the Bolsheviks. Some say that the Lithuanian Council has moved out in order to be able to negotiate with the Allies and to rep- resent Lithuania in the West. 176 1 Two meetings had been held. On Jan. 6 several hundred Lithuanians met at the club “Ruta” and decid- ed to send a delegation to speak with Vincas Mickevi ius, head of the Bolshevik government. Fr. Tumas had taken part in these meetings and informed the bishop. 2 The Ministry of Defense of independent Lithuania had already issued an order on November 23, 1918, to recruit a volunteer army.