George Matulaitis Journal

286 gendarmes has been proven guilty of any crime. Besides, the treatment of those arrested is deplorable.” In the evening of December 13th, Mr. Aleksander Meysztowicz came to see me. I had heard from His Excellency Archbishop O’Rourke that he is an advocate of conciliation with the Lithuanians and recognizes Lithuanian independence. I spoke with him at length. In his opinion, Greater Lithuania with a parliament in Vilnius should be restored and, though independent, it should be united with Poland at least by military and economic ties. He vehemently attacked the Polish officials in Lithuania and their methods of governing. At first the local people had welcomed the Poles with the greatest confidence because they were quite weary of the Bolsheviks. If only the Poles had known how to exploit this moment! But now that they have robbed and injured the people, they are proposing a plebiscite. This is how he talked. I have noticed that some of the Poles are changing their policy toward Lithuanians to some extent. There are now those among them who advocate a separate and independent Lithuania associated with Poland. December 14 I ordained two deacons to the priesthood. December 15 The meeting and annual elections of the St. Vincent de Paul Societies were held at five o’clock in the afternoon. I attended, gave a speech and a donation. These are Polish organizations, and they are doing good work. At least, the women’s branches are, but the men’s are mostly inactive. December 16 An open letter addressed to me about Lithuanian priests and church services in parishes of mixed nationality appeared in the