George Matulaitis Journal

I had thought of asking the priests to admonish the people from the pulpit, but I was cautioned that it would make matters even worse, in view of the people’s violent and angry mood. Osmo = owski, 1 a Polish political leader, came to see me. On the 22nd of April, with the Chapter, we decided on the order of ceremonies. I said that I would gladly perform whatever is needed in church, but that I would not become involved in any political demonstrations and refuse to participate in them. It was agreed to hold a special thanksgiving service on April 23rd. I took it upon myself to sing Mass and also the “Te Deum” after the sermon. Father Maciejewicz was chosen to preach the sermon. It was agreed that the sermon would be purely religious in character. We decided to have a funeral service for the dead on the 24th of April. I would sing the Mass and the “Libera.” Father Lubianiec was designated to give the sermon. He proposed that I organize a procession of thanksgiving and reparation to the Gates of Dawn. Since shooting was still going on in the city, I refused. But even aside from this reason, I did not want such a procession because the Polish nationalists usually turn them into political demonstrations. Monsignor Bajko was designated to perform the burial services at the cemetery. Participation in the funeral services was to be voluntary. Those who wanted to, could attend. The funeral was dangerous because of the shooting in the city. Jerzy Osmo = owski, appointed by the Polish government to carry out its policies in Lithuania, stopped in to see me. He called himself Commissar for the Eastern Lands. He outlined his political program. I said: “I will not interfere in politics. I can only point out to you the aspirations and sensitivities of the Lithuanians. In general, I want to reconcile all the nationalities and guide them toward unity. In my opinion, if the Polish government will really be based on the principles of justice and humanity, it must recognize the rights of the Lithuanians and the Belorussians. Perhaps then these nations will make peace with each other.” I added, “In my opinion, it would be 253 1 Jerzy Osmo = owski had been appointed by Marshal P i=s udski as head of the so-called eastern lands— Vilnius and the surrounding area as well as parts of Belorussia. He was to head the civil government, but there was a military government as well.