George Matulaitis Journal

239 housing agency, Comrade Abramov, would not be there. Consequently, for the time being at least, I must admit those who have come from Moscow until they can find suitable accommodations. This Bolshevik had already moved into my yard with an automobile full of gasoline canisters and other things. The commissar himself arrived soon afterward. I showed him the notice that the former Bolshevik decision had been revoked and that he had been given other accommodations. He said that he could ignore the notice and asked that I would allow him to come into the house temporarily. I warned him that forcing themselves into the bishop’s house would not go down well with the people and that riots might result. I said: “Sirs, you have the authority to do whatever you want. I cannot do anything about it. You are forcing me out of my residence and I shall leave the house entirely, but I do not advise you to stay here. I know the Catholic people, and they will not tolerate this. There will be a disturbance.” As I left to go out to say Mass, I asked everyone inside to remain calm and, if the Bolsheviks should return, to let them into the waiting room if they were absolutely determined to get inside. I had already conferred with Father Joseph, and we had agreed that I would move into the seminary should the Bolsheviks get in here by force, while he would remain in the house with the two brothers to keep an eye on things. When I came back after Mass at about 11:30, I found the stairs and the entrance hall filled with people. Both the Poles and the Lithuanians had rushed in to defend the bishop’s residence, sensing that the Bolsheviks were trying to seize it. Seven of these Bolsheviks had already arrived—five men and two women. The people had become even more enraged because of these women. Apparently, they suspected that they were of questionable character and were forcing themselves into the bishop’s house to desecrate it. Sensing that a large crowd was gathering, the Bolshevik men left the house and only the two women stayed behind. The people who had assembled into the waiting room spoke many harsh and bitter words to them. When I walked into the house, the people told me that they would never let the Bolsheviks occupy the bishop’s house or yard. This house belongs to all the Catholics and they are the owners, so no one has the right