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EN
The article deals with one of the most important and complex issues in the history of the diaspora, when the political activity American Lithuanians in the United States of America was fragmented during the Second World War, the onset of the Cold War, and the period of occupied Lithuania (1941–1948): the effort of liberating Lithuania was carried out separately by the American Lithuanian Council and Lithuanian nationalist organisations in the USA. Late in 1947, these competing organisations managed to reach an agreement: approval was obtained for the return of the Lithuanian nationalists in the USA to the American Lithuanian Council as a fourth ideological strand. The article discusses the change in the positions of the nationalists by making substantial concessions, analyses the readiness of the nationalist organisations to join the American Lithuanian Council, the attitudes of the leaders of this council, and the role of the Supreme Committee for the Liberation of Lithuania (Lith. Vyriausiasis Lietuvos išlaisvinimo komitetas, VLIK) in this issue. Unfortunately, unlike the Catholics or the members of the Santara [Harmony] organisation, the influential Lithuanian socialists in the USA, who belonged to the American Lithuanian Council, did not support the return of the nationalists to a joint organisation. That was the main obstacle. In addition, the coordination of minor issues raised by the nationalists’ initiative delayed their own admission for another year. To find out under what conditions the Lithuanian nationalists in the USA as the fourth group (along with the Catholics, Socialists and the members of Santara) finally joined the joint organisation, the analysis covers the congress of the American Lithuanian Council held in New York on 21–22 November 1948.
LT
Straipsnyje nagrinėjama viena svarbiausių ir sudėtingiausių problemų išeivijos istorijoje, kai Antrojo pasaulinio karo, Šaltojo karo pradžios ir okupuotos Lietuvos laikotarpiu (1941–1948) buvo suskilusi JAV lietuvių politinė veikla: Lietuvos laisvinimo darbą atskirai vykdė Amerikos lietuvių taryba (toliau – ALT) ir JAV lietuvių tautininkų organizacijos. 1947 m. pabaigoje šioms konkuruojančioms organizacijoms pavyko susitarti – gautas pritarimas JAV lietuvių tautininkų sugrįžimui į ALT kaip ketvirtai ideologinei srovei. Straipsnyje aptariama tautininkų pozicijų kaita, darant esmines nuolaidas, analizuojamas tautininkų organizacijų pasiruošimas įsilieti į ALT sudėtį, ALT vadovų požiūris ir Vyriausiojo Lietuvos išlaisvinimo komiteto (toliau – VLIK) vaidmuo šiuo klausimu. Deja, ALT priklausę įtakingi JAV lietuviai socialistai, kitaip nei katalikai ar santariečiai, nepritarė tautininkų sugrįžimui į bendrą organizaciją. Tai buvo pagrindinis stabdys. Be to, dėl tautininkų iniciatyva iškeltų antraeilių dalykų derinimo jų pačių priėmimas užsitęsė dar metus. Analizuojamas 1948 m. lapkričio 21–22 d. Niujorke įvykęs ALT suvažiavimas, siekiant išsiaiškinti, kokiomis sąlygomis JAV lietuvių tautininkai kaip ketvirta grupė (šalia katalikų, socialistų ir sandariečių) galutinai įsiliejo į bendrą organizaciją.
EN
Following his departure from Lithuania on June 15, 1940, President Antanas Smetona stayed in Germany until he made a decision to relocate to the US. This decision was influenced not only by the unfavourable conditions of living in Europe but also by the continual instigation of his family (son, son-in-law, wife and sister-in-law J. Tūbelienė). He had aspirations to find a livelihood in the US, take up creative work, participate in the activities of Lithuanian émigrés and organize the struggle for the liberation of Lithuania. US authorities, however, unwilling to deal with A. Smetona’s political activities, on September 14 issued him with the visa on the condition of written promise to enter the US as a private person rather than an official. In September of 1940 the news about the possible arrival of the President in the US created a stir among the local Lithuanians. Wider right-wing stratums of the émigrés were for the most part excited about the possibility to meet the President of Lithuania. P. Žadeikis, Lithuanian envoy to Washington, and consuls J. Budrys and P. daužvardis coherently acted as if A. Smetona still was the President of Lithuania but was visiting the US as a private person. Members of Lithuanian National Union in emigration recognized the legitimacy of the President, approved of A. Smetona’s arrival, were excited about it and made necessary preparations. Socialist leaders in emigration, however, neither approved of the arrival nor recognized him as legitimate President of Lithuania and émigrés of communist deviation resorted to severe criticism. The most numerous movement of the émigrés – the Catholics – exercised the politics of tacking. First of all the difference of opinion was outward among the Catholic elite. Secondly, this was the period of formation of the American Lithuanian Council (Lietuvai gelbėti taryba/Amerikos lietuvių taryba) – collective institution of the leading political powers in emigration (Catholics, nationalists and socialists) and its stability was the primary aim especially for the Catholics. Thus, the Catholics recognized A. Smetona as the legitimate President of Lithuania yet spoke against his possible participation in political activities in emigration pointing at his political errors. The contradiction in the attitudes that the movements adopted towards A. Smetona was accountable for the oncoming political split among the patriotic émigrés. Lithuanian nationalists in New York were the first to show initiative and make preparations for the welcome of A. Smetona. As advised by Lithuanian diplomats, they addressed all émigré political movements inviting to join forces. On January 22, 1941 the Committee for the Reception of the President of Lithuania (Lietuvos prezidentui priimti komitetas) was constituted in New York on the basis of the commission summoned by the nationalists. However, it was J. Budrys, Lithuanian Consul General, who initiated the constitution of the said committee as he invited all Lithuanians in the US to cooperate. Catholic activists L. šimutis (editor in chief of Lithuanian periodical draugas (“Companion”) and the President of American Lithuanian Council) and J. Laučka (editor in chief of Lithuanian periodical Amerika (“America”)) requested the formation of such committee. The committee for the most part consisted of nationalists with few sandariečiai and one Catholic - J. Laučka. The leadership of the Lithuanian Roman Catholic Federation of America decided to play it safe and delegated J. Laučka, the representative of New York region of the Federation, to A. Smetona’s reception instead of a representative from the Centre. A. Smetona’s welcome on March 10, 1941 and reception dinner on March 13 were attended by representatives of all major émigré political movements with the exception of socialists and communists. In his speech the President presented the fact of his emigration as resistance to Moscow, encouraged the émigrés to join forces in the struggle for the liberation of Lithuania and promised to stay out of political activities in emigration.
EN
Following the coup, the new nationalist government was in need of funds for the implementation of the planned reforms. It was expecting loans from abroad and especially from Lithuanians living in the U.S. However, most emigrants disapproved of the takeover and the government was severely criticized. Pursuing to regain favour among the emigrants, the government was ready to make certain allowances (especially in the field of the economy) which were expected to raise capital by means of attracting Lithuanian emigrants. Promotion of emigrants’ tourism to Lithuania was among the possible sources of replenishment of the country’s currency reserves. On average it was estimated that a foreigner spends up to 1,000 USD in Lithuania. However, emigrants’ (especially those from the USA) tourism to Lithuania was of greater significance as Lithuanians from abroad visiting their homeland could see the progress of the country for themselves and inform others about the reforms, thus forming a more positive opinion towards the Lithuanian government; their links with the homeland enhanced Lithuanianess abroad; promotion of Lithuanian products, especially food as there were plans to expand their export to the U.S.; emigrants were encouraged to purchase land, buildings and other property. Although pursuing austerity policy, the Lithuanian government allocated significant sums to the welcoming and reception of tourist groups of Lithuanian emigrants, organized festivals, exhibitions, temporarily simplified the procedure of visa and foreign passport issuance, etc. The said measures proved successful when gaining over Lithuanian emigrants. The Lithuanian government kept its ears open to the emigrants’ requests. Lithuanian representatives in America, including Bronius K. Balutis, Povilas Žadeikis, Mikas Bagdonas, Antanas Kalvaitis, Petras Daužvardis, and Jonas Budrys, advocated that visa fee should be cancelled for emigrants, both Lithuanian and American citizens, and that the procedure of passport issuance should be simplified. Although they had their doubts with regard to the increase in the tourist flow which would compensate for the non-collected visa fees, the representatives strived to facilitate the preparations of those who had decided to make a trip to Lithuania and frame their favourable attitude towards the Lithuanian government which was making allowances. The agreement between Lithuania and the USA concluded on 19 April 1937 finally cancelled the visa fee and extended the period of unregistered stay in Lithuania to 1 year. However, everyone intending to visit Lithuania, had to get a visa in a Lithuanian consulate in the U.S. This was a certain aspect of state security or control, to be more precise, what kind of people were visiting Lithuania. Starting from 1931 the Lithuanian government introduced discounts for tourists using the Lithuanian railway and especially those who would come to the country through the port of Klaipėda. The authorities also paid attention to the work of the customs which was increasingly becoming more polite when dealing with tourist groups. Lithuanian representatives in the United States of America together with American Lithuanian activists were negotiating with various shipping companies on the possibility to open the direct New York-Klaipėda line. Although later the flow of tourists among the emigrants decreased, the direct line to Klaipėda opened in 1930 operated until WWII. Analysis of the statistical materials pertaining to the flow of American Lithuanian tourists in 1929-1938 suggests that their numbers significantly decreased following the Global Economic Crisis. Consequences of the crisis, depreciated dollar and weak tourism infrastructure in Lithuania could be listed among the factors accountable for the fact. Criticism in respect of the Lithuanian government pursued by left-wing Lithuanian activists and radical Catholics in America also should not be written off.
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