George Matulaitis Journal

because, knowing the mood of the people of Vilnius and the prejudice against the Belorussian language being used in church and also the tense political situation, he had jumped in with his sermon. Thank God that everything is quieting down somewhat. Father Mo ejko from Silenai was here to ask me what he should do. On Palm Sunday armed soldiers had gathered around the church and started rounding up young men, supposedly to join the army. Tumult and confusion broke out. The terrified people had come running in to ask him what to do. On the spur of the moment he told them: “Don’t you know yourselves what you should do?” The people understood, disarmed the soldiers and brought the weapons to the priest, who took them for safekeeping, intending to send them to the authorities in Mai iagala. That night the commander from Maisiagala rode in with a group of armed soldiers to recover the rifles. They threatened the priest. The pastor said that the young men are being rounded up on purpose—supposedly for the army, but actually to extort ransom money. In fact, they are released upon payment of several thousand marks. The young men are afraid of being seen in public and do not even come to church. Similar incidents had occurred in Duk tai, where Father Zakarowski is pastor. The soldiers and militiamen were rounding up the young men right by the church. The commander suspected that Father Mo ejko might be Lithuanian, since he was inciting the people against the Polish troops. The officer spoke out against several Lithuanian priests: Narusis, pastor of Korviai, Kakarieka, pastor of Mai iagala, and some others. I advised Mo ejko to be patient for the time being. If he sees that the soldiers and the police do not stop this outrageous behavior, he should report it in writing, and I will officially present it to the government. I also cautioned him not to come out in direct opposition to the soldiers and militia himself so as not to provoke their revenge. All the priests have confirmed that the behavior of the soldiers toward the people is outrageous. They often requisition all kinds of supplies without permission or compensation. They have collected almost all the hay and straw from the people, and there are hardly any oats left. They have also caught and slaughtered all the hogs grown for bacon. Incidents have been reported of soldiers robbing people at gunpoint and even several cases of murder. Many priests have 320