Resolutions [Favoring Lithuanian Independence] Sent to Washington
Lietuva, Feb. 1, 1918.
On this page we are publishing examples of resolutions which were sent to Washington, favoring and demanding independence for Lithuania.
The following resolution, signed by Dr. A. Zimontas, was sent in the name of the Lovers of the Fatherland Society:
"At a meeting of the supreme Board of the Association of Lithuanian Patriots of America, representing 140 lodges, the following resolution was adopted:
"Whereas The United States has always been an upholder of liberty and true democracy and a staunch defender of oppressed nationalities, and
Whereas The United States entered this World War for the defense and preservation of these very same principles, and 2 "Whereas, The Lithuanians have been and are now shedding their blood in profusion on the battlefields of Europe for these same principles, with many more ready to do the same in the armies of this country, and
"Whereas, The Lithuanian people, being conscious of their right to political and economic independence, will, in the future as in the past, strive unceasingly for their liberty and national integrity, and
"Whereas, The boundaries between Germany and Russia cannot be settled properly and permanently without liberating Lithuania from the German and Russian yokes and establishing a free and independent Lithuania, and
"Whereas, A diplomatic settlement of European problems without a just recognition of an independent Lithuania would leave a feeling of unrest in that part of Europe, which would be a menace to the peace and an unredressed wrong, and
"Whereas, The President of the United States in his message of January 8, 3 1918 A. D. announcing the war aims of the United states did not refer to the emancipation and independence of Lithuania; therefore, be it "Resolved, That the Lithuanians have absolute and unshaken confidence in our government and President Wilson who proclaimed the principle of justice to all peoples and nationalities and their rights to live on equal terms of liberty and safety with one another, whether they be strong or weak'; and be it further
"Resolved, That the above principle cannot be fully attained unless it is anplied also to the Lithuanian nationality and results in granting complete freedom and independence to Lithuania; and be it further
"Resolved, That President Woodrow Wilson and the Congress of the United States be respectfully requested to take such action as will lead to the safeguarding of the rights and aspirations of the Lithuanian people and 4 recognition of a free and independent Lithuania; and be it further
"Resolved, That these resolutions be published and presented to the proper authorities of the United States as well as th diplomatic representatives of other countries."
The second resolution, sent in the name of the Illinois lodges of the Lithuanian Alliance of America, reads as follows:
"At a meeting of the delegates representing the Illinois lodges of the Lithuanian Alliance of America, held January 22, 1918, at Milda's Hall, Chicago, Illinois, the following resolution was unanimously adopted: Whereas, The United States entered this war to defend the liberty and democracy not only of its citizens but also of all subjected and oppressed nationalities, as expressed in the messages of the President of the United States, and
5Whereas, The President of the United States, in his last message setting forth the aims of war, named the nationalities whose lands have been covered with the blood of the struggling armies; but Lithuania, which has suffered indescribable agony, and over whose territory the armies of the opposing combatants have passed time and again leaving it in total destruction, was, for some unknown reason, omitted in said message, and
"Whereas, We, as loyal Americans of Lithuanian extraction, whose fathers and brothers still remain in Lithuania, daily hear the voices coming from over the seas from seven million Lithuanian people demanding the independence of Lithuania; therefore, be it
"Resolved, That in behalf of the seven million people comprising the Lithuanian nation, we ask the President of the United States and the United States Congress to demand the liberty and independence of Lithuania, and that such demand be made specifically with reference to Lithuania, as well as with 6 reference to the other nationalities already named in the message of the President of the United States stating the aims of the war; and be it further
"Resolved, That the chairman of this assembly telegram a copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, and mail a copy to each member of the United States Congress."
