Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-03-25
Y. M. C. A. NEWS,
"A Prince for President"
+ < < + + + .a < + t < < :

"A Prince for President
 Dr. Karl Fries of Sweden, the lead i ing Y. M. c. A. secretary of North ern Europe and chairman of the Worlds Student Federation, which [ touches forty nations and has 1O5, 900 | members, returned to Europe last l week after month in America. He l came to attend the great Student | Volunteer conference at Nashville, in- cidentally to visit the Scandinavian | colleges in America and organize as- sociations in them. Prince Berna- dotte, son of the king of Sweden, CO | operated with Dr. Fries in organizing the Stockholm association, was it's first president and is now president of the Swedish National council, of which MT. Fries is secretary He is in no sense a figurehead. In his life and character and his services he is princely. In fact, he has recently re- signed as admiral of the navy that he might have more time for Christian work. With his wife, for whom he gave up title to any succession to the throne, he visits incognito the pris- ons, doing missionary's work, while constant service. He entertains, at his summer home, "The House of Peace,' on the Isle of Wisby, the sec retaries of the Y. M. c. $ of Sweden for a week, leading them in Bible studies and giving talks on missions, on which he is enthusiastic.
 Although young man, Dr. Fries speaks English fluently and is equally at ease in dozen European lan- guages. He introduced the student conference idea in Northern Europe, which is bringing students of all lands together He is associated with the 1 forward European religious move ment and developed at Stockholm what is the largest and most influen. tial association in Northern Europe with over six hundred members. There are now one hundred and if teen associations in Sweden.
 When the Stockholm association was begun in 1884 there were no church societies, such as the young peoples movement, but now Swedish churches have these with total membership of 10000.
 Dr. Fries told a representative of the press that the thing that struck him most forcibly was the remark. able increase in Y. M. c. A. buildings and equipment since his visit to America in 1888 as student; and, he added: "I find the associations in America have come to be increasing factors for social influence in the com. munity. They have a scope and an influence and freedom in service in your new and growing country such IS we can never have in Europe. The most profound impression was made upon me by the Cleveland asso- citation, which has extended it's work to eighty shops and factories. Your associations in America are now sel 'Eg opportunities of service rath- CT thar members for themselves.
 You lave here in America far diff fertnt conditions to work amongst than we do in Sweden. You have no opposition. In Sweden there are large numbers of social democrats and socialists who are verging on an archism. These are mainly anti Christian and anti-moral. Stockholm was the first association in Europe to follow America in introducing first-class gymnasium. Our associa- tions are like your own, alert to the opportunities with the soldiers. In Sweden all men under twenty-one must be eight months in active ser vice in the army and connected with companies for two to three years.
 "A feature in the association at Stockholm Is a First Aid Hospital corps. similar to the Red Cross, which was organized at the suggestion of Prince Bernadotte and equipped at tho e1pense o6 Queen Sophia. Tn this are enrolled fifty men for forr