Tautos vienybės idėjos propagavimas B. K. Balučio redaguojamoje „Lietuvoje“ 1912–1916 m.

Abstract

The prominent Lithuanian personality and diplomat B. K. Balutis sacrificed his personal and political interests for the sake of nation's unity and its interests. He promulgated and defended this position while living in the USA and editing a patriotic and liberal newspa¬per „Lietuva" in Chicago in 1912-1919. With the help of the press he tried to rally Lithuanians residing in America. He strongly believed that editorial boards of different Lithuanian newspapers, representing different viewpoints, could co-exist peacefully if they adhered to the ethical principles of the press. The newspaper „Lietuva", edited by him, fostered the belief that an honest debate of ideas in the press served the nation best. His articles, reviews, commentaries, and disputes are noted for their argumentation, precision, reserve, and lack of insulting tone. He deeply believed that all newspapers can and must cooperate on the issues which are of great importance to Lithuania and its people abroad. Being well aware of the process of differentiation among emigrants, B. K. Balutis saw the national feelings and the idea of Lithuania's statehood as the basis for their unification. Therefore, he welcomed the National Union of American Lithuanians, established in 1916, which in his opinion, had a great chance to unite the extreme political forces of Lithuanian Catholicsand Socialists. At the same time he predicted that political ambitions might impede the process of unification. B. K. Balutis was deeply convinced that these political ambitions could be overcome by way of compromise. He observed this principle in his practical activities.