The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-09-26

and Princess of Wales. spent many pleas /
ant hours at her home in Manchester |
Square.
Lady Llster-Kay is the youngest OF
the three Yznaga sisters, all of whom |
have been at the forefront OF all things !
social in the royal set. The late Dow
ager Duchess of Marlborough. Consuelo |
Yznaga, for whom Consuelo Vanderbilt, /
the present Duchess Of Marlborough, was
named, was one of the most highly es-
teemed personal conhdantes OF King Ed
ward for many years. and what is more.
she was beloved by Queen Alexandra
also.
There Is a friendship still closer be-
tween the present queen and Lady Lis
ter-Kay, and the royal children are de-
voted to her, especially Princess Mary
and Prince John. And it is said Of her
that she had the tact to make both Queen
Alexandra and the present Queen. Mary,
her friends. which in itself was very
unusual, as these two have very few
friends in common Perhaps Il was her
naturalness and her delightful rendering
Of negro melodies, accompanying herself
on the banjo, which fascinated the late
king and was the ultimate means Of a
friendship that outlasted many others
and which even included the then princely
pair Of Wales.
Lady Lister Kay's husband. Sir John,
has farn:ed In Canada aud California. He
is close on 10 sixty and has been a great
traveller Recently he has been interested
in big ventures in China. The Lister
Kays We're married in New York In 1851.
Their only child died in infancy. and the
Cecil Edmund Lister-Kay, master OF
DENLY Grange Wakefield born IN 1854
and who. in 1881. married the Lady
Beatrice AdeIine. daughter Of the sixth
Duke Of Newcastle, and sister 20 the
present duke and Lord Francis Hope
In Washington diplomatic circles It Is
no secret that the King Of Sweden has
recalled his Minister 10 the United States,
NJ. de Lagercrantz. 20 make him secre-
tary OF commerce Of the Stockholm gov
eminent That sounds sensible. and logical.
also. For II must be remembered that.
". de Lagercrantz. whose mission here
was the first one he ever had in a diplo-
matte way. was nothing if not a repre-
sentative Of commerce, being himself at
the head OF one Of the largest iron in
dustries Of his native land, enjoying the
distinction Of being the only manufac-
turer OF plano wire in the world.
Sweden has many interests in this coun-
try, and they are all Of an Industrial ma
ture. The Stockholm government has
watched for years the progress made by
the scand.navisns who emigrated TO
America, and was not slow to profit by
it. Sweden is hard at work 10 make the
native land as profitable 20 It's sturdy
sons as the latter found this country
II is bending all its energies to increase
its industries and install progress on its
farms, some OF which-those sheltered
from the icy and long winter storms OF
the northern fjords by the mountain
chain which almost divides the scandi-
navian peninsula-are fertile, and can be
made much more so.
What was more natural than that the
government, first Of all. should begin by
sending a man 10 this shore who is a
thorough business NTH, and who could
quickly absorb commercial reforms and
put them into practice at home. And as
a result, Lagercrantz was the choice.
It will be remembered that all the pub
lie speeches made by that gentleman in
this country were Of a commercial tint
and tone, $50 much so that here and there
it was limited IN the press that n. De
Lagercrantz would become persona non
grata II he persisted. And when they
thought at Stockholm that the time was
ripe, he was recalled" and now will put
to good use all he saw and learned here.
OF course, officially and IN strict dipIo-
matte sense. the minister was not re-
called. but his leaving virtually amounts
10 the same thing when judged IN a prac-
teal businesslike way.
The eX-diplomat has had an adventu-
rous career. Born in Sweden. he became
an officer In a crack cavalry regiment.
While IN Stockholm ne fell under the
influence Of a street preacher OF the Sal
walton Army. resigned his commission
and enlisted with the Salvationists. For
years he and his wife worked in the slums
OF London. Later he was sent 10 East
India. where he rose TO be a colonel IN
Gen. Booths army. Returning 20 Sweden,
he started TO make piano wire. II was
never understood at the state Depart
ment Just why Sweden sent a diplomatic
ally inexperienced man as its representa-
tive to a country Of the Importance or
the United States. unless on account of
our commercial magnitude.
One thing posterity viii appreciate IN
the life of Queen Alexandra-she never
interfered in national affairs OF moment.
Those who know her Will refer TO her
as Alexandra the Good" It is pathetic
10 contemplate the former Queens future.
Much of her time probably VIII be
passed in Denmark, her native land,
where her summer residence on Klam-
penborg Bay awaits her. Here she will
be Joined by her sister, the Dowager En-
press OF Russia, whose life has been one
of continued worry and sorrow.
Queen Alexandra has preserved King
Edwards rooms at Sandringham in the
same condition they were in during his
lifetime. In this way again her grief is
shown for the rooms Of the Duke OF
Clarence, her first-born, which remain TO
! this day as they were before he died in
1892. Every day when at Sandringham
Alexandra goes from room TO room to
make sure that her wishes are fulfilled.
Princess Victoria's condition is causing
her mother, Dowager Queen Alexandra,
great anxiety also. The princess is sub