George Matulaitis Journal

264 April 30 On the night of April 28th and early on the 29th, the city almost fell into the hands of the Bolsheviks once again. Their shells were hitting the city, and they broke into Liponka, a suburb of Vilnius. The city was all chaos and confusion. All the gentlemen and ladies immediately began to flee from the city, mostly to Warsaw and Gardinas or other suitable places. The Legionnaires armed all the men and boys they could to help them fight. The sounds of battle could be heard. Monsignor Michalkiewicz came in very early on April 29th. He said that his nerves are giving out. He feels that he cannot hold out any longer and is thinking of going to Warsaw for treatment in some clinic. Seeing his shattered nerves and weak health, I advised him to go ahead. He took out his celebret and left for Warsaw that evening or night. Father Songin, who is once again working 1 at the Dziennik Wile < ski [ The Vilnius Daily ] with Father Maciejewicz, came in asking that he too be allowed to go to Warsaw. He is a Polish nationalist and is involved in the political organization of the National Democrats and may even be their leader. Of course, if the Bolsheviks take over, things would be hot for him. This interference of priests in politics is a real misfortune. My secretary, Father Steckiewicz, has heart trouble and also complained that he cannot endure all this and has insomnia. He also asked to be allowed to go away somewhere. I permitted him to do so because I could see that he was really a sick man. I received a second telegram from Pozna < in Monsignor Michalkiewicz’s name stating that the delegate from Pozna < is in Warsaw and is expecting our representative. I gave this telegram to Father Kretowicz. The city is in a state of unrest. The noblemen, men and boys, were either armed and had joined the Legionnaires or were trying to get out of the city. It looked deserted. 1 The original has it that these two priests were editors of the paper, but most probably they were fre- quent contributors, since J. Obst, a Polish sympathizer of German origin, was editor.