GENERAL INFORMATION ON CURRENT CONDITIONS IN LITHUANIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP62-00865R000200130002-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: November 11, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 7, 1998
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: September 10, 1952
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized - Approved For R e : CIA-RDP62-00865R00020hMOb2-6
9wimf
SRC1RITY I ON
MBRAL INFORMATION ON CURRR1aT CONDITIONS IN LITHUANIA
25X1A8a
Prepared by.
Prepare. for-
Case Number
Date Completeds 10 Septcmber 1952
25X1A8a
cm
SNCURITT I TION
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP62-00865R000200130002-6
 Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP62-00865R000200130002-6
GI U RAL INFOR24ATION ON CURB NT CONDIyIONS IN LITHUANIA
25X1A8a
Request was made by Chief, 13 May 1952 for general
information on current conditions in Lithuania with special reference
to living conditions, collective farms, economic conditions, Partisan
activities, and political changes.
SCOPL AND LIMITATIONS 25X1 C10b
SUMMARY
The following conclusions may be made.asks result of the survey:
Economic and living conditional, although far below the pre-
war level, appear to be'relatively good, Food and clothing
are available in limited quantities. Partisan activity is
continuing on a limited scale but with decreasing vigor.
Although the collective farm system has greatly reduced the
acreage of each individual farmer, those who joined have
adjusted quite well to the change and appear to be better off
than those who resisted the movement4
25X1A8a
25X1A8a
page i,
RM
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP62-00865R000200130002-6
 Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP62-00865R000200130002-6
RAT
S CURITY 0
GIM RAL INFORMATION ON CURT CONUIT:GONS IN LITHUANIA
Y
I, Living and Economic Conditions 25X1 X6
A reports that as of July 1950, living
conditions in Lithuanian urban areas were generally good, but
that in genera]. the standard is lower than before World War III
In contrast to the scarcity of goods which once prevailed, shops
are now able to fill ordinary needs, though the quality of goods
on sale is inferior to prewar standards.
A Lithuanian emigre report that even though, economic con-
ditions have improved considerably since the introduction of the
Soviet currency reform in December 1947, worry over one great
problem is unceasing, that is, how to survive the Soviet occupa-
tion. Nationals are in constant fear of traps, and no one is
ever sure whether or not the person speaking to him is an agent-
provocateur whose purpose is to ascertain his attitude toward
questions asked,, and later report to the authorities,,
Until 1951 a sense of security was wholly absent, and people
lived in constant,fear of deportation, a calamity from which there
is no escape once the individual has been so designated.
Migration from rural to urban centers is large, especially
since establishment of collectivization and,Pe currency reform,
both of which affected the farmer adversely, Townspeople earn
much more than farmers, and it is for this reason that people from
rural districts, especially young people,, migrate to the towns to
find employment. Many relatives of Partisans are also moving into,
towns to avoid risk of deportation.
Recent reports indicate that social customs are changing,.People.in rural districts no longer organize dancing evening;! as
they did before the war. This is partly due to Partisan orders,, and
there seems to be no mood for dancing as'result. On the other hand,
dances are organized.in urban centers, but these are mostly attended
by,Russiansa People generally are quiet, and appear to avoid conver-
sations except with those in whom they have complete confidence.
page 1,
25X1A2g
25X1A8a
ECRtE
SECURITYUTION
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP62-00865R000200130002-6
 Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP62-00865R000200130002-6
MUST
3aacuRITY-719POWLTION
Village people dress much as in the past,'but they are far
worse off financially since the currejicy reform was instituted.,
Peasants drink as they did before th4 war, but less than during
the German occupation; They produci` "Schnappst0 or "Samogon" for
their own use, but not for sale. The penalty for selling a
bottle of Samogen is one year's imprisonment; if a still is
discovered the sentence is five years.
Until 1949, Communist propaganda among the peasants was weak
but it has since been intensified; For this purpose, teachers fro*
the towns were employed (Party members) and a system of patronage
of collective farms by town offices factories, secondary schodlsg
and univereiti s, was used, but until 1951 much of this was still
unimplemented. t t
Laborers work eight hours a day, six days a weak,, and receive
pay for overtime work? -Apparently even administration officials
work an eight=hour, six-day week Most icials are new, though
some of the old ones have been retained.
page 2,9
A Lithuanian emigre reported in April 1951 74at the Russians
in Lithuania form a privileged class and live well. This is
especially true of office employees, members of the Communist Pary,
and specialists. Russian factory directors give special favors
to Russians, if the factory director is a Lithuanian, his assistant
is almost always a Russian, whose authority is actually greater
V'sn that of his Lithuanian superior, Factory workers include
many Russians, especially women, who establish redidence in'
Lithuania because living conditions are, better than in Russia.
Throughout 1950 the number of persons employed increased
steadily in all parts of the country, and by the. end of that
year total employment was 11% greater than in 1949e Increase
in- real wages was also marked during the year..
The monthly salary of an average rker is about 250-300 rubles,
with higher rates for the professions Doctors and dentists receive
low salaries and may practice privately only after their working
day in hospitals or clinics has been completed.
It was observed in.1950 that nearly all the olc~, 11 ~ctories in
Kaunas had been rebuilt and were again in operation. Only small
workshops or repair shops still remain in private hands, and
evidently no new factories have been built since the war. Disci-
pline in the factories is severe.,1f a worker is late or takes a
day off without sufficient cause, he io penalized or dismissed.
People fear the security police so much that they take no part in
sabotage-or subversive activities; but if there should be a revolu-
tion, the majority of workers would turn against the Communists.
WCR;,T
Sanitized5)~gp ved iorKe1eea
P62-00865R000200' 8%
 Sanitized Approved For Release : CIA-RDP62-00865R000200130002-6
ItdT
SECURITY 1 ATION
f
Groups of Lithuanian Conu,unieta.lre being sent to work in
Latvian factories for periods of from throe to six months.
Latvian Communists, on the other,hd, have been assigned as
deputy chiefs of Party organizations in various branches of the
Lithuanian factories, and after six months they return to Latvia
The purpose of these mutual exchanges seems to be that inasmuch
as the Communists are Party members first and Lithuanian or
Latvian ascend, they should learn about conditions of work in all
Soviet republics in order to qualify for the jobs which might be
assigned them by the Party in any locality. These exchanges of
Communists which occurred from September to November 1951 were
the first step in an inter-exchange of citizens among the various
non Russian re blics, a method of "denationalizing" various
,populations .
It has been reportedWat by July 1950, an large epartmsnt
houses had been nationalized. The rent for apartments such as these,
consisting of three rooms, kitchen and bath was 4O'70 rubles per
month, while apartments in private houses bring a higher rental.
Administration officials and workers-have no difficulty in getting
apartments through official channels.
As of August 1951, most curdities such as bread, butter, ,and
clothing wer. in short supply. Available merchandise was of the
poorest quality; shoes poorly made, usually with rubber holes;
and suits made of taE-::ed or artificial (ersatz) material,,'
The family unit exerts a major influence on the younger
generation, and forma the core of native resistance. As yet,
schools have not been completely transformed into instruments of
Commianisrn, and the majority of teachers are still Lithuaniahs
whose indirect influence on the pupils fosters resistance to the
foreign yoke.
Life in the towns and cities is tolerable, and the Runs
are ,wring great efforts to raise the standard of living.
However, the Lithuanians are neither influenced . nor. deceived by
these efforts and still maintain their deep==rooted desire for
faLedom.
.25X1A8a
page 38
25X1A2g
SR&T.
SECURITYtMATION
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP62-00865R000200130002-6
 Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP62-00865R000200130002-6
scar
II. Collectivization
Collectivization of farms in Lithuania is regarded as a
calamity for the peasants. It was started on a large scale in
1948 and reached its peak during 1949: In 1951 a Lithuanian
displaced person reported that about 90% of the peasants had
been forced to join the collective farms, although the IV
percentage varied between different sections of the country.
In tree Vilnius re ;ion, for example, only about 30% of the peasants
were 4ffected, while in other districts representation was 100%.
The first 'ndividuals forced to join the collective farms were
the village headmen and the more prosperous faars.
Two German, repatriates from Lithuania who lived in the area
of SIAILIAI and JUSKAICIA until !iay 1951 report that recruitment
of.peasant;to collective farms usually occurs in the spring
of the yea Only those who have personal property may enter a
collective fame; those without it are not accepted, even thou
the shortage of labor is acute.
The collective farm is managed by an elected chairmen, usuany
a native Lithuanian, who has.control over all work brigades,
Including even the bookkeeper. However, actual control is vented
in a'Russian, commonly known as lieutenant-colonel (podpolkovnik).
This official is the local agent of the Ministry of Agriculture,
and it is he who decides what crops should be planted, the area
and amount 0
The small private farm-holder must pay a heavy annual tax in
addition to his compulsory delivery of agricultural produce. The
rate of payment to the state for land kept by the individual rmer
is said to have increased markedly since the autumn of 1950. e
peasant who joins the collective movement benefits by certain help
and privileges from the Soviets, and also pays lower taxes because
he is covered by a system df taxation quite different from the
normal state tax
Members of collective farms are given small plots of ground
for their own use and are permitted to keep cows and goats, but
not horses. They must feed their cattle from their own supply of
grain, and after making compulsory deliveries to the state, farmers
page 4.
25X1A8a
"CIL12
SECURITY
TION
25X1A8a
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP62-00865R000200130002-6
 Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP62-00865R000200130d02-6
,CRT
I
may sell their surplus produce on tho,'open market. Two price levels
prevails one which is the rate paid by the state, the_ or is
whatever price the farmer can. g t. 6d"the free market
Farmers continue to live on their own individual farms, but
they have not easily adjusted to the fact that their farms are now
common land, and that they-are no longer owners of all the livestock,
They are apt to behave as though the property were still their owns
trying to retain their horses, harvest their hay to ethers and divide
it among themseelveso Since there is a great shortage of labors a
large portion of the grain is left unharvested. In spite of this
scarcity of labor, farriers of 60 years or more may not be members of
the collective' farms. They are not expelled`, but are ,riven half an
acre of ground on which to live and support themselves.
As of ~1ay 1951, the monthly salary of a common laborer was
reported as between 250 and 300 rubles. Farm laborers are paid
by workdays. However, work scheduled for one workday ordinarily
requires at least two or more days to accomplish, Tnus, a KRlkhoz
laborer very often completes not more than 100 workdays a year.
Lithuanian farmers despise the new system, and resr~ the false
impression made by the Communist Lithuanian press that membership
in collective farms had been a voluntarymaatter. A farmer may fill
his own soil, on Sundays or at night, though he must frequently work
on the collective farm until well into the night. A member of a
kolkhoz may not transfer 'to a factory for works because his collec-
tive farm entrance pledge will not permit. him to change his profession,
Members of collective farms receive identification papers which
serve as passports If a member dishes to travel he must fill out
a printed form given him by the farm chairman. On it he must indicate
where, when, how, and for what purpose he wishes to travels As
these facts warrant, the collective f chairman writes out a travel
certificate in the'Ruosian language.
Every collective farm consists of 20 4r more faraa units previously
owned by individual farriers. Due to mismanagement and inefriciency,,
productivity has declined since collectivizations and total?oatput
is far less than that of Lithuania as an independent state
Reaction of the Partisans against collectivization in 1950 was
reported as strong, and their abusive treatment of those who joined
the system temporarily retarded the process of collectivization.,
page 5s
25X1A8a
Sr",CRST
SECURI?r! ATION
25X1A8a
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP62-00865R000200130002-6
 Sanitized - Approved Fe Tease : CIA-RDP62-00865R000200130002-6
III, Partisan Activities
and Political Changes
A Lithuanian national who claima,to have participated in
guerrilla activities in Lithuania, re orts that the Partisan
movement is the only resistance moor-ent in Lithuania open to
all who wish to lend active support too sition of the
present Communist controlled government~ie movement, developed
immediately after occupation of the country by Soviet forces
during World War II, is inspired by patriotism and at present is
said to be under the leadership of a former Lithuanian general.
According to reports dated May 1951, the numbrical strong
t
of the Partisans grew steadily until the beginning of that year
This steady increase in members was due to the hazards involved
in returning to civilian life by former members ~f the movement.
The report states that young men joined the Partisans for one or
three main purposes: to escape military service, to circumvent
the threat of deportation, and because of collectivization of
agriculture. The group included a few women, most of whom were
employed in a secretarial capacity,?
A former prisoner of war also reports that certain trusted
individuals in towns and cities served as channels throw h whom
the Partisans could send messages or make connectionsough
without definite proof, it is believed that Partisan accomplicca.
have been planted in all government offices.
Sabotage operations of aigr cance were rarely undertaken by
the Partisans prior to May 1951 he' reason for this was numerical
weaknesr~, as compared to the occupation forces, which precluded the
possibility of achieving lasting success, The only known act of
sabotage occurred during the period 19471948, when railroad tracks
located in the area of SIAULIAI4MAZRIKIAI were blown up,, Otherwise,
Partisan activity was confined almost exclusively to small raiding
expeditions,on the kolkhozes, in order to obtain supplies.
Partisan activities are anti-Russian and anti-.Communist, directed
against all Russians, all Communist Lithuanians, and against all
informers and traitors.. Reportedly, Partisans avoid battle with
Soviet troops except when there Is no alternative. Whenever possible,
they retreat into swamp areas.where they have conatructcd under='water
log defenses which are inconspicuous and 'offer safe refuge from
pursuit.
Informed persons report that there-is another well organized
group of Partisans in Lithuania who, rather than fight, work as
under-cover agents in kolhozes, factories and government offices '
They gather information on Communists, and report their findings to
page 6,
SroCR1,T
SECU I1 ! ATION
LJ/\ I!'1Od
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP62-00865R000200130002-6
 Sanitized - Approve or Releago IA-RDP62-00865R000200130002-6
SIC %aMFOVATION
the field units which are thereby guided. .in raids mm killing
Party members and destroying their property.
Before collectivization it was e$timated that about 90% 2g
of the Lithuanian population was synthetic to the movement V
This resulted in a mutual exchange of services: the Partisans
were supplied with food and in return they assured refuge
and protection in case of molestation by Soviet units, After
collectivization was imposed, Partisan activities were seriously
hampered, inasmuch as farmers were unable to provide food and the
Partisans were compelled to-shift for themselves in obtaining
necessary supplies. At they same time, Partisan influence became
evident in the stiffened resistance of the farmers, and during
the deportation operations conducted by the Soviets, Partisans
rescued many who had been taken into custody by 'their overlords.
Prior to August 1951, the Partisans were feared more than anti-
Partisan units. ?artisan, killed their opponents, and legal,
punishment for supporting Partisan activity was imprisonment or
deportation.
According to a Ge n repatriate, Partisan leaders usually
wore the old Lithuanian army uniform; members of the movement in
general wore civilian clott} , and espionage agents wore the
uniform of Som,iet offt.ceraring the winter months, white
outer clothing and caps were used as camouflage to blend with the
snowy landscape.
According to observations made by escapees from the Baltic
area as late as Jul-,( 19519 the total number of active Partisans
is unknown,, activity is largely concentrated in small indi=
vidual units. oje groups, seldom include more than four or
five men, and in recent years there has been no strong Partisan
activity of the type prevalent before 1947, when Partisans were
able to occupy and hold villages. During the spring of 19519
about twenty Partisans raided the co unity of Baltriskes and
shot members of the local governinent~owever, the usual type
of Partisan activity consists in posting threats of violence or
attacking individuals known as Communist collaborators'.
These same escapees report that until the middle of 1949, it
was customary for the Russians to exhibit bodies of persons executed
because of resistance, in the public squares. This practice has
been discontinufd, and authorities are now attempting to control
popular aid to Partisans by rigid enforcement of anti-Partisan laws.
page 79
25X1 A8a -
25X1A8a
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP62-00865R000200130002-6
 Sanitized - Approved F ,leas CI RDP62-00865R000200130062-6
SECURI
In June 1951, a Lithuanian refuge& reported that,. the Partisans
are no longer well organized, and. t~~hp~t1 small groups now seem to have
uncertain contact with each other .Mince the Soviets are attempting
to dissolve these groups, Partisans Est defend themselves as:* long
as possible. This Lithuanian infont feels that the Partisans
have become extremely cruel, and that without hesitation they will
murder anyone suspected of being Communist or of having sympathetic
tendencies.
The same source reports that-at present there is no apparent
evide..ce of organized passive resistance; nor is there 'any general
knowledge of illegal'publications. In 1948 underground leaflets
were occasionally distributed in the streets of Kaunas, sometimes,
printed by students. One group was arrested because of carelessness
in distributing leaflets in churches. Efforts are now being made
to organize illegal activities on a national scale
Escapees from the Baltic area of USSR reported in July 1951
that a number of Russian civilians in Lithuania seemed very
lar?geugh estimates indicated that the populations of KLAIPEDA
and VILNIUS are about 75% Russian, KAUNAS, 35 ,,Russian, and
PANATEZYS (the Soviet military center in.north central Lithuania)
about 50% Russian.
25X1X6
indicate that Lithuanians' are now a unified
people Phe old political.parties have either lost their appeal
or have vanished from the national consciousness. .It is. generally
admitted that the Smetona regime was not 'a true democracy; rat dr,
that it was a police state during the life of which farm workers
were grossly underpaid. Today the tendency of the people inclines
toward the left, and,' though opposed to Socialism as a political
philosophy., they quite naturally are seeking social reform. A
strong movement for social justice and improved living conditions
has already been launched.
.So far as,is possible to do so, Lithuanians are ignoring their
present government; their attention is-focused on.regainin" Indepen-
dence. Russians hold almost all the high government posts, rut for
the Lithuanians who dq hold relaLively important positions in the
government, membership in the Communist . Party is' not required.
A well-educated Lithuanian national who arrived in the United
States in January 1951 reports that the most significant political
groups now fighting Communism in Lithuania are the AKTIVISTAI (unsder
Roman Catholic sponsorst go s ,'and the NEPRIKLAUSOMA
(Independent Lithuania). During the German occupation,wesse groups'
were rivals,, due to the Gorman policy of divide=andQconquor. The
two groups were then fighting each other ,for government control, but
today they are apparently united in common cause - liberation of
their country from the Soviet yoke.
San itizec . pcaved Foal of as~l~ ~Nfit=00865R000200130662~tA$a
 Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP62-00865R000200130002-6
Although emigre repreeentatives enJo the aoz 'idenc e, of the
25X1A8a
majority of their fellowoentrynn0; the Partisans maintain that
it is they who will haws the deoisiv. io* in the futures govern-
ment of Lithuania, and that the emigr will have to accept second.
e y resporaibi1it'7 in the administr0ion of the country after its
liberation..
. For addit4onal information and details of recent Partisan
?6At1'
25X1A8a
Page 9a
25X1A8a
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP62-00865R000200130002-6
 { le
Sanitized - Approved Fort" *4pAs %ciPA-RDP62-00865R000200130602-6
SSCUR -RNATIoM
BIBLIOG }f
Date a o0ttion
1..
114 July 1951
Prior to May 1951
Prior to May 1951
bor to. August 1951...
nor to June 1951
pt 5.- Jan.1951
X30
Distribution
23 May 1952
6 August 1951
10 August 1951
28 Apr 2I 1952 .
6 April 1951
9 April 1951
10 April 1951
13 March 1951
20 May 1952
14 January 1951
8 October 1951
23 May 1952
22 May 1952
21 May 1952
9 January 1952
14 February 1951.
.1 September 1951
12 February 1952
22 September 1951
20 January 1951
Juae 1952
6 August 1951
25X1A2g
25X1A8a
page 100
25X1A8a
HST
8I CURITY LION
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP62-00865R000200130002-6
 t
Sanitized - Approved Fo : CIA-RDP62-00865R0002001300b2-6
SECURITY l wrIod
NOTES s 25X1A2g
page 11,
SECURITY IN
25X1A2g
23 May 1952
9 April 1051
23 May 1952
9 Agri 1951
20 January 1951
21 May 1952
13 March 1951
12 February 1952
13 March 1951.
21 May 1952
6 Acct 1951
13March .1951
22 May 1952
13 March 1951
13 March 1951
21 May 1952
22 May 1952
22 May 1952
25X1A8a
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP62-00865R000200130002-6
 Sanitized - Approved Fork: CIA-RDP62-00865800020013002-6
SECURITY XNF Odd
25X1A2g
22 September 1951
28 April 1952
Sec, 1. 9 June 1952
8 October 1951
10 April 1951
14 Februas7 1953
Norma: (Coat,
page 12
25X1A2g
25X1A8a
Sanitized - Approved For Release : CIA-RDP62-00865R000200130002-6