Evening star., 1914-08-23

flag poles. whereon were shown the
flags of the countries winning in each
event The raising of each flag was the
signal for applause in the section appor-
toned to the sympathizers with the vic
torious country, and there. when three
flags of one nation went up, pandemo-
MUM broke loose. When Finland won
victory all Sweden rejoiced, the stadium
resounded to the short staccato bark with
which the Swedes sounded their applause
and the stamping of many feet.
The Russians soon showed piQue-
Their athletes were few and their
place winners fewer. They resented
the sympathy and affection between the
Swedes and Fins thus made manifest.
Soon an order went forth that the
Finnish flag must not be raised, and
thereafter for every Finnish victory
the Russian flag was raised, with a
tiny pennant in Finland's colors float
ing at its tail.
Resentment was instantaneous. The
Swedes and the Firms ragged, and many
spectators felt the crude injustice oil
the thing. To even the casual obserV-
er, unaware of the inwardness OF
there was trouble brewing. The at
mosphere changed, became electric, and
the friendly rivalry of nations bade fair
TO end In troIble.
Quite thoughtlessly and without
meaning the boys of the American
Seam and the enthusiastic gallery who
crossed with them. added their little to
the unpleasant feeling. Word was
given out at the beginning OF the games
that the Americans should cheer only
their own team and their hosts, the
Swedes In general this rule was fol-
lowed. but when victory after victory
fell to the lot of Finland's team en-
thusiasm burst all bounds. enthusiasm
and sympathy with. the little fellow
putting up plucky, fight and coming
out victorious. and cheer after cheer
burst from the section where America
had her seats. The team managers,
who knew something of the delicacy of
the situation and how strained rela-
tions were. put In their oar. but not
before Russia knew pretty well how
the United States felt in the matter,
which pleased her none too well.
The thing blew over. as such things
are apt to do, if a spark be not applied
to the fuse at just the psychological
moment. The international board of
commissioners got their heads together
and real trouble was prevented, but the
incident rankled. 1t detracted nothing
from the suspicion and dislike with
which the Swedes regard their more
powerful neighbors. 1t was an added
irritation to an open sore.
When the Grand Duchess Marie Paw
lovna, cousin of the Car Of Russia was
married to the second son of King Gus
tav of Sweden. William, known as the
Sailor Prince in 1905 it was hoped
that the alliance would cement friendly
feeling between the two nations, but even
there racial differences have intervened
and the marriage has come to grief.
Marie is young and gay, full of the joy
of life, unconventional and doubtless
thoughtless and not easily controlled.
The Swedish court is severe and
straightlaced to a degree, life there the
acme Of conventionality. and the dainty
little Russian princess shocked her
adopted family and the people Of her
husbands land till they held up their
hands in horror.
There were even rumors connecting the
princess name with an ugly scandal con-