Although there is no cause for rejoicing today. we should pause nonetheless and commemorate if nothing else the shocking fact that in this enlightened 20th century. in Europethe cradle of one of the great civilizations in the worldan ancient and noble people with a long and glorious history and a high culture is victimized by the savage imperialism of Soviet Russia. Whereas since the close of World War II in other parts of the world colonial areas began gaining their freedom and emerging as sovereign nations. in Lithuania. a hitherto free and independent nation in the Western community of nations. there was imposed by Soviet Russia as ruthless and bloody an imperialist regime as the world has ever seen. Not only were the Lithuanian people deprived of their freedom. not only were they viciously exploited economically. but great numbers of them were deported to Siberia and other inhospitable areas of Russia there to live a dogs life or die. The infamous Russian methods of systematic repression were instituted. The intellectuals of Lithuania were liquidated. the beautiful Lithuanian language was forbidden. religious orders were persecuted. and churches closed.
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