George Matulaitis Journal

273 British policy is contrary to that of Poland. Apparently, the British want to keep the countries around the Baltic Sea under their own influence and protection. On April 4th Poland declared in Parliament that it recognizes Lithuania’s independence so others would not think that they intend to seize foreign territory. When I told the Lithuanians about this, they interpreted it differently. In their opinion, the Poles simply want to cover up their activities in Vilnius and also their intentions. A member of the Polish Parliament, Swida, told me during his visit that the Poles, after taking care of the Bolsheviks, are going to liberate Lithuania from the Germans. The Lithuanians themselves cannot do this because they are in debt to the Germans. The Poles cannot tolerate the fact that the Germans, while they are still in Lithuania, are constantly plotting against them and inciting the Lithuanians to turn against them as well. They intend to attack Grodno and the Suwa = ki region and disarm the Germans. They will force the Lithuanians to join the Poles. My God, my God, what a terrible thing is the politics of our time! Morality is completely excluded from the political arena. The same morality which governs and guides relations among individuals should also govern the relations between nations. Christ has not given us a double standard, nor double justice, but only one. There can be no true peace among nations until they begin to base their relations with one another on the moral principles of Christ. I heard that the members of the Warsaw Parliament had participated at the meetings and assemblies of the local Poles. A very noble-minded young lady came to see me. She was indignant at Father Lutos = awski’s speech. He had practically incited the common people to go out and massacre the Jews. He said that there was still one enemy against whom the Poles must fight to the death: the Jews. Such speeches might truly provoke the people who are already enraged against the Jews to go out and kill them. In my opinion, this involvement of priests in politics is disastrous. When one is excited, the mind is clouded. Overcome by political passion, a priest can easily drift off somewhere—far from the Spirit of Christ.