"Honored Sirs:

"For lack of time we were unable to visit every Lithuanian society in Chicago to deliver to it the thanks of the Lithuanian Science Society of Vilnius [Vilna], and to accept the donations which every Lithuanian society--we believe--will donate to the National Museum of Vilnius.

"We are pleased to announce, however, that we have found a great willingness to support the Lithuanian Science and Art Society of Vilnius. Therefore, we hereby authorize the Chicago Lithuanian Societies Association Board to represent in Chicago the National Museum of Vilnius; to collect donations from individuals and from societies, and to publish such donations in newspapers; to send their committees to the meetings of societies to explain the aim and purposes of the National Museum and of the Lithuanian Science and Art Society of Vilnius, and to ask these societies to participate 2 in this cultural activity according to their ability.

"To this authorization we sign our names: Dr. J. Basanavicius, M. D., president, Martinas Ycas, representative from Lithuania in the Duma."

The Chicago Lithuanian Societies Association Board immediately sent the following appeal to all Lithuanian societies of Chicago:

"Brothers and sisters:

Chicago, Ill., August 30, 1913

"The authorization above bestows honor and responsibility upon every Lithuanian society in Chicago. The purpose and aim of the Lithuanian 3 Science and Art Society of Vilnius are so important that every Lithuanian in whose heart national feeling has not yet died must, without delay, stand among those who are supporting the national cause not with empty words but with their deeds and material support. Erection of the National Museum in Vilnius is our first and most important national task, to which all Lithuanians are invited to lend their help. This work must be accomplished without obstruction and delay. After it must come the other national tasks, which cannot be finished as long as a strong foundation has not been laid. "For this reason we are performing the task which has been assigned to us by the honored delegates of the Lithuanian Science and Art Society of Vilnius. In order to fulfill the requirements of these two delegates, we are asking YOU--lover of our nation--to contribute at this meeting of your society a reasonable sum for erection of the National Museum in Vilnius. Send your donations to the treasurer of the Chicago Lithuanian Societies Association, A. J. Bierzinskis, 4601 South Ashland Avenue, Chicago. He will give a receipt 4 for the money received and the contributions will be published in local Lithuanian newspapers. At the end of the month, the money donated will be sent to the Lithuanian Science and Art Society of Vilnius.

"The amount of contributions is not limited. It is desirable that every society should donate $100. For such a sum the Lithuanian Science and Art Society of Vilnius will name the donors "Benefactor Member," and they will have the right to receive all the literature published by the Science Society. Besides this, the name of the donor society will be inscribed in gold letters on the wall of the National Museum.

"We take this opportunity to announce that there is a project to organize a similar science society in America, which in all national affairs will work together with the Science Society of Vilnius.

"It is known from the newspapers that there is a considerably large number of "Benefactor Members" in Chicago. When other societies join, there will no 5 doubt be an even much larger number of them. Among the Chicago Lithuanian societies which have been named "Benefactor Member," the Sernas Musical Fund has donated $250 to the National Museum of Vilnius. If other societies will join the ranks of donors of at least $100, not only will a large sum of money, for the National Museum of Vilnius be raised, but also the Chicago Lithuanian Societies Association will become one of the most influential and strongest organizations in national affairs. It also would be an example for the Lithuanian colonies of other cities, and this would turn into the right path the destiny of American Lithuanians. To this task, the voice of Lithuania invites us. Every Lithuanian must listen to the voice of Lithuania not because of innate feelings but with understanding that he is a Lithuanian.

"Besides contributing to this national altar, every society should urge every Lithuanian to donate at least one brick for the erection of the National Museum--and especially Lithuanian businessmen, who in the name of the nation demand that Lithuanians support their business. Such businessmen should not 6 forget that they are in debt to their fellow-nationals for success in business, and should repay their debt. Besides paying the lump sum of their contributions, the societies might also make arrangement for a plan of monthly payments. Whoever donates to the nation donates to himself, because national affairs are his affairs.

"Trusting that this appeal will bring the desired results, we remain respectfully,

"In the name of the Chicago Lithuanian Societies Association Board:

J. J. Elias, president

Pranas Butkus, first vice-president Juozas Trijonis, second vice-president

A. Zamaravicius, third vice-president

M. Dobriskis, fourth vice-president

J. J. Hertmanavicius, general secretary

Pranas Kibartas, bookkeeper

A. J. Bierzinskis, treasurer.

7

Directors:

V. Miseika

Z. Mickevicia

Mrs. R. Slikiene

Mrs. K. Katkeviciene

Antony Zemaitis

P. Mazeika

M. Juska."

(Note: The editor of Lietuva heartily approves and supports this appeal because the erection of the National Museum is the most important and greatest project of the Lithuanian nation. Chicago Lithuanians, and Chicago-Lithuanian societies have always stood in the first ranks when there was need to support national projects. We believe that now Chicago Lithuanian societies will not take a place behind Lithuanians of other cities; and we see from the newspapers, that Lithuanians of other colonies are trying to 8 surpass the contributions of Chicago Lithuanians. We heartily invite all good Lithuanians, who understand the importance of science and enlightenment to support this appeal, and at their meetings to urge contributions for this great national cause, and to send their contributions to any one of the Chicago Lithuanian newspapers, Lietuva, Katalikas, or Draugas.)