fathers fought our war of independence from Great Britain and
obtained for the thirteen British colonies a status of independence.

Since that time the struggles of others to free themselves of tyranny
and set up governments in accordance with their wishes have found
sympathy in this country. We believe sincerely in governments of the
people, by the people and for the people, as it has been said, and
we feel a strong tie of friendship and communion with other peoples
who share our beliefs but are denied the privilege of exercising them.

The independence of Estonia, together with her two sister states
on the Baltic, Latvia and Lithuania, was ardently supported by the
people of the United States at the conclusion of World War I. Her
struggle to maintain autonomy in the years between the two great
world conflicts was applauded by Americans, and a feeling of deep
sadness swept over us when the three little nations, Estonia, Latvia
and Lithuania, fell before the might of Nazi tyranny, on the other
hand, and Communist tyranny on the other. And while our govern-
ment, for reasons of international policy, may not offer recognition
to aims of Estonians, Lativians and Lithuanians for independence,
I know that an overwhelming majority of American people applaud
the efforts of these Baltic peoples, and in their homelands and else-
where, to rekindle the flames of liberty and independence.

On February 24, this forty-eighth anniversary of the proclaiming
of Estonia as an independent republic, it is a pleasure to me, on
behalf of the people of my State, to greet you who have ties of allegiance
with Estonia and are keeping up the fight to restore her independence.

295