George Matulaitis Journal

249 serious priests were of the opinion that I should not bring out this letter yet. However, Fathers Lubianiec, Maciejewicz, and Chomski thought that the letter should be issued. Since these latter were more eloquent, their view influenced the others. Everyone agreed that the letter should be peaceful in tone. Monsignor Hanusowicz was against its publication. Since the majority were leaning towards publication, I decided to have it appear the Sunday after Easter. However, when the Polish Legionnaires came, the letter proved unnecessary. I had told the pastors and the other priests that even without the letter they should speak to the people from the pulpit and explain those things which the Bolsheviks are trying to destroy. During his speech Father Maciejewicz could not resist the opportunity to rebuke me and the pastors as well for being afraid to take a stand when necessary and not being courageous enough in doing our duty. I reprimanded him very gently and politely: “No one here is think- ing of shirking or ignoring his duties. It is simply a question of whether we should make a public statement on the school issue.” In addition to the members of the Chapter and the pastors, both Father Songin and Maciejewicz attended the meeting. Both are well-known Polish nationalists, who engage in agitation wherever they manage to get in. Father Cikoto, now a professor at the Mi<sk Seminary, arrived. The Bishop of Mi<sk has fled from the city and is now hiding from the Bolsheviks somewhere in the villages. The Poles as well as the polonized Lithuanians and Belorussians in Mi<sk strongly oppose the nationally conscious Belorussians. At the seminary Belorussian literature is taught, and Belorussian sermons are preached in a small chapel. The bishop has dared to speak in Belorussian in the Cathedral itself. For this reason the Poles look askance at the bishop. They say that they are very concerned about the state of the seminary and threaten to withhold financial support if the Belorussian spirit continues to dominate there. There are twenty-seven seminarians; two or three are Poles, but they are learning Belorussian. Among the Catholics, Cikoto himself and Abrantowicz support the Belorussian movement in Mi<sk . The Poles are very angry with them because of this.