The Washington herald., 1907-04-25

Sweden's new Minister 20 the United
States, Mr.. Herman de Lagererantz,
arrived in Washington yesterdag morn
ing and at once assumed charge Of the
affairs Of the legation. Accompanied
by Mr. A E. Kengren, secretary Of
legation, he called al the State Depart
ment IN the afternoon and presented
his credentials Following that cere-
mony he went to the White House and
was presented to the President.
Il is reasonable to expect that the
new 7sinister viii quickly establish the
same intimate terms with the Presi-
dent that mark Mr.. Roosevelt's rela-
ton with a chosen few OF the diplO-
mats accredited to Washington. For
one thing, he is an enthusiastic horses
man, and. what is more to the point,
he Is of the broad minded, democratic.
aggressive type OF man.
Joins Salvation Army.
After a few moments conversation
with him. il is not hard to understand
why Mr.. de Lagercrantz. who has
never been in the diplomatic service
before, and, in fact, who has never held
any public office. should be chosen to
look after the interests OF his country
in America. While possessing no title,
he is descendant Of a distinguished
family, the owner Of large estate,
and the employer on -s.7adfeds Of work.
men; yet in his desire TO get into closer
touch with his fellOw-men and TO I'M
derstand their needs and ideas, he
Joined the Salvation Army years ago.
and for three years and more devoted
himself to the work OF that organiza-
ton in the face OF the opposition, ridi-
cuIe, and derision OF others occupying
the same station IN life as himself. VINO
could neither appreciate nor under
stand his motives.
Proves HIS Patriotism.
A man of large interests. he has
shown his patriotism and devotion to
his country By leaving the manage
ment OF his iron works at Weisbo to
subordinates. and coming here to
watch the interests Of Sweden
Mr.. de Lagercrantz comes. appar-
emily. not with the idea Of devoting
himself 10 international politics. but
rather with the fixed purpose of pro-
noting the welfare and good Of the
thousands Of his countTymen in the
United States With this end in view,
he has already made plans for visiting
various parts of the country in order
to get at once into close touch with the
citizens of his race, to learn their
needs. and to make them feel that
their fatherland is still interested in
them and that he himself is here to
/ help them ia every possible manner. In
short. he intends 10 mt himself Tor car
I ing for their interests. as by working
with the Salvation Army ne prepared
himself for handling his workmen.
/ While Minister de LagercTantz has
never been TO the United States before,
he has watched its affairs closely and
| has learned to appreciate its charac-
/ teristics because Of the fact that
among his employees are many Swedes
who have worked and studied in Amer
/ lea. have learned its methods and have
( caught It's spirit OF aggressivenesss.
He IS proud OF his cOuntrymen and of
! the standard of citizenship they have
maintained in the United states.
speaks English FIueRtIy.
Mr.. de Iagercrantz speaks English with
remarkable ease and huency. He is tail.
well-built. and wears a gray mustaehe
I that matches his gray hair, The latter
/ is no longer plentiful, but time has left
/ few other traces upon him. he mas
Travelled extensively. His work with the
/ Salvation Army took him 10 England for
one year. India for another. and italy
/ for a third. Previous TO taking up that
work at the age of twenty-eight, he served
fourteen years in the army, having at
tanned the rank OF lieutenant at the time
he gave up his commission
/ His wife has accompanied him 10 Wash
! ington. and at present they are staying
at the New Willard Hotel. Their seven
children. who range in years from eigh-
teen to four. have been left in Sweden
but they will be brought to Washington
in the fall. Until permanent arrange
ments have been made Mr.. de Lager
crantz viii have his legation offices az
I FL.