George Matulaitis Journal

314 Lithuania would, it is hoped, become a more unified nation. The city of Vilnius would easily revert back to its Lithuanian origins. Then our neighbors would no longer have any pretext to quarrel with us. It would be best if the Lithuanians declared the territory to the south, east, and north of this line as Belorussia and let the Belorussians themselves decide whom they want as allies. However, it should be noted that this is not Polish territory.” Then I said: “If, up until now the Lithuanians have demanded wider borders, this perhaps may not have been a mistake—it gave them a basis for negotiation. And, after all, we were doing this at the request of the Belorussians, who wanted as few of their people as possible to come under Polish rule. Now, however, we must demand only that which is wise, just and well-considered as well as what we can realistically hope to obtain. We can help the Belorussians get what they want in other ways.” Mr. Jonynas asked me to send him some knowledgeable priests to help determine this minimal border line. I entrusted Canon Kukta with the task. This afternoon they met at Mr. Bir i ka’s and with Mr. Jonynas, Canon Kukta, Fathers Kraujalis, Zajan kauskas, 1 and Kri iukaitis 2 discussed the matter. At nine o’clock in the evening Father Kukta and I went to the Bir i kases’—we had been invited. We found Mr. Wróblewski there already. He is getting ready to go to Kaunas at the invitation of the Lithuanians and then, perhaps, to Brussels to negotiate with the Poles. His sympathies are with the Lithuanians. I gave Mr. Bir i ka the more significant information gathered from my talks with the League of Nations’ representatives. March 30 Father Labukas, 3 a curate from Sven ionys, asked me to let him go abroad to continue his studies. I said that, if possible, I would let him 1 Vincentas Zajan kauskas (1864-1956): a Lithuanian priest engaged in pastoral work in Vilnius since 1912, also an educator active in various Lithuanian organizations. 2 Jonas Kri iukaitis (1866-1946): A Lithuanian priest who joined the Marians in 1918. From 1920 to 1925 he lived in Vilnius and was Bishop Matulaitis’s personal secretary. 3 Juozapas Matulaitis-Labukas (1894-1979): completed Vilnius Seminary in 1918, ordained by Matulaitis. In 1922, he went to study in Germany and Switzerland. Served as Chancellor and Vicar General in the Kai iadorys Diocese. Under the Soviets spent nine years in Siberia (1946-55). On his return, taught at the Kaunas Seminary. In 1965, while attending Vatican II, he was consecrated bishop in Rome.