George Matulaitis Journal

310 afterwards. They had behaved humanely. Naturally, prison and exile are not pleasant for anyone. He had communicated with the delegation from Kaunas, but they had failed to gain his release, although they showed concern and made an effort. Miss Wojewódzka, who had come with a Lithuanian mission from Vilnius, had looked after him and Bishop +ozi<ski . 1 I shall have to reward her for this in some way. Perhaps I can get some mark of recognition for her from the Holy Father. His Excellency Bishop +ozi<ski was in prison the whole time. It is believed that he has been released 2 and is returning through Riga. The Bolsheviks were greatly incensed against him. It seems that when the Bolsheviks asked him what his opinion of Communism was and what relations he plans to have with the Communists, he said that he intends to use every possible means to struggle against Communism and Communists. In addition, they were enraged at the patriotic sermon given by the bishop in Mi<sk during the services for the Polish delegation. The Bolsheviks called him an enemy of Soviet Russia and especially found fault with his expression that he would fight them with “every possible means.” Monsignor Michalkiewicz painted the conditions in Russia under Bolshevik rule in very dark colors. I am very happy that he has returned. He will help me in my work and in the administration of the diocese. 3 Thank God that he is in good health. I was afraid that his health would not hold out. March 24 Holy Thursday. I conducted the services at the Cathedral. March 26 1 Bishop +ozi<ski was arrested by the Bolsheviks on October 4, 1920, and imprisoned in Moscow. 2 After signing the Treaty of Riga, the Poles and the Soviets exchanged prisoners of war. Bishop +ozi<ski was released to Poland, and from there by a circuitous route returned to his own Diocese of Mi<sk . 3 In 1922 Bishop Matulaitis requested Rome to appoint Michalkiewicz auxiliary bishop. Matulaitis con- secrated him in June of 1923.