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Copyright © 1954 Lithuanian Students Association, Inc.   No.1 - Nov 1954 Editor of this issue: A. V. Dundzila

TOWARDS BETTER UNDERSTANDING

Man has constantly striven to learn. From the days of the schools of ancient Greece through the civilization of Rome, from the medieval Universitas and the colleges of the 20th century science, culture, and thought have been passed on from generation to generation so that man might have something to live by, something to contemplate, something to keep him from repeating the mistakes of the past. Yet man has never been without his problems.

The problem of the Twentieth Century is Communism which has torn the world apart, created many unfortunate, homeless, and hungry people without spiritual or physical freedom. Among the first to enter the list of these unfortunates was the Republic of Lithuania. This was the reason that many Lithuanians chose to live in political exile in various countries outside the Iron Curtain.

The largest number of exiled Lithuanians have the opportunity to study and acquire an education in the United States. Thus the Lithuanian Student Association was formed almost four years ago here. This organization binds together the college students of Lithuanian descent in exile and is characterized by the spirit of youth in its devotion to the Motherland and participation in the attainment of its earnest projects.

The Association attempts to present to its membership otherwise unaccessble national problems and matters; to study foreign influences and to ease the financial difficulties of its members. This is done in the hope of the rise of a free and independent Lithuania, an impossible case at the present time because of the Communist rule. For that reason the Lithuanian Student Association is an active member in the fight against Communism.

This publication hopes to acquaint its readers with Lithuania and the Lithuanians: their problems; historical sketches; cultural background, and environment. We had a taste of independence. We were unfortunate enough to be subjected for over a century to the chains of suppression and to the whip of slavery. These experiences gave us the opportunity to compare the two conditions; gave us the chance to learn to organize resistance; and taught us to be proud of, honor, and cherish our Lithuanian descent.

These pages will tell you, in print, some of the injustices imposed upon Lithuania; will show you the cruel methods by which the would be masters tried to achieve their aims; will given you a glimpse of the life in a free and independent Lithuania in the 13th through 18th centuries; and tell you what life was like in the present century when the occupation occurred.

Editors:
A. V. Dundzila, Editor-in-Chief
K. A. Mikėnas
A. Pabarčius
D. J. Valančiūtė
P. V. Vygantas