Evening star., 1918-02-17

q q the foreground as an alleged tool
of Germany and which cast question of
doubt on her avowed neutrality. promi-
nent Swedish people in Washington be-
gan to discuss plans of action which
would strengthen the spirit of the Swed-
ish people in the United States and i'm
press upon them not only the great
necessity for indispitable loyalty to the
country of their adoption. but also their
potentfaIity as an influence upon their
kinsfolk in their native country.
Prominent among the promoters of such
plans was Mrs. Anna Bogenholm
sloane. one of the prominent members
of the Swedish colony in the capital Since
the launching Of a definite movement two
or three months ago. which expressed
simple suggestion to all scandinavian
Americans to bs steaalast sna LII IN ,,dms lhelr
trious in developing ramihcations of the
original plan and broadening its possibili-
tiles. The result is that she has been
appointed chairman OF subcommittee
by Mrs. McAdoo, it's chairman, to have
complete charge of a special appeal to
the Swedish-Amerieans in the next Hber-
ty bond issue
has been getting in touch with the scat
tered groups of Scandinavians in differ
ent parts of the country, and In assembling
influential Swedish people in Washington
to discuss ways OF stlnuia1lhs more
active patriotism.
Ry means of various agencies, she has
communicated with representatives OF
Swedish organizations and devised a sys-
tenn by which she can reach her people
Through the Swedish clubs. of which
there are seventy-five in Chicago alone.
and a great many others in principal
cities 1t has been possible to get In
touch with this group Of people who rep
resent an important factor once they are
approachable in systematic way:
.:The city of Chicago contains about as
swsass rea ssi Mrs s seaee eae city n de Of
Stockholm. the capital Of Sweden. al, and d
there are scattered throughout this
country great many Swedish. NOT
wegian and Danish ORGANIZATIONS whose ,s.
personnel constitutes practically the ohiS
hody of neutral foreigners here.
."Tbe Order of Vasa Is one OF the
most important Scandinavian organiza-
tions in the United States 1t has 3oo
branches in the different states In
addition. there are other Swedish clubs
and societies which, when federated:
will provide a channel for reaching all
of our people here and impress1ng upon
them the things tnat tHey Sho III
know and understand That is, the
governmental activities in the war. the
principles and advantages of democracy
and the need for them to stand by a
declaration Of loyalty as fearlessly and
stanch1y as their Viking ancestors.
"At recent meeting of Swedish peo-
pie at my, home a resolution was
framed declaring the loyalty OF those
present to the United States govern
ment in it's present crisis, and an ap-
peal was made to all Scandinavian
Americans to concur in this declaration.
Copies are sent to the clubs which I
have prepared and listed for my liberty
bond work. and we are going to spread
our movement broadcast by publishing
articles on patriotic subjects in all
Scandinavian newspapers in this coun-
try. of which. think. there are about
800.
BESIDES this resolution impressing
upon our people the need for pledging
their unreserved support of the Ameri-
can government. another phase of the
situation has impressed me and which
we are emphasizing as an opportunity
for useful service. The people In swed-
en- have more power through their riks-