Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-07

ever delighted in honoring the heads Of
their governments with gifts Particularly
a is this true Of democracies. where the per-
sonal touch lends added interest to the
gesture, and most particularly has it always
been true in the United States, where presents
find their way to the White House with amazing
lavshness.
AS the citizenry come more and more In
contact with the Chief Executive through the
press the movies and the radio, more and
more do they feel constrained to send something
to the President and the First Lady Of the
Land; more and more do they act upon this
impulse to forward gift to the White House.
Because Of their unusually wide range of
friends. official and personal literally all over
the world President and Mrs. Hoover have been
the recipients Of very large number Of
presents.
Since the day Of the nomination last June
elephants have played conspicuous part
among these presents sent in by the people.
Bronze elephants, gilt elephants silver ele-
plants, elephants Of carved wood, of porcelain
groups of them, single individuals, elephants
big and small. From all sections of this coun-
symbols of the G. o. p, until now they would
make good-sized herd.
60 the mascot of the Republican party Is no
~ stranger to the house of Hoover, though
they little dreamed in those days Of the flocks
of mascots that were to descend upon them
later or the tremendous significance that would
be attached to them. '
President and Mrs. Hoover have always been
keenly interested in native arts and industries
o,d 6Ytrir fba{r kri,, 10 Ava
many OF the gifts were especially typical Of the
countries visited, which seemed to please the
distinguished visitors much
One example is the hand-knotted hammock
presented at Corinto, Nicaragua, by the Presi-
dent of that republic 1t is about IL feet long
and wide in proportion, very finely meshed and
soft. It can be folded into an incredibly small
space. yet it is as strong as strong rope. The
fabric Is made from native growth like hemp
or SiSal. 1t Is native product complete. Could
anything more ideal be imagined In the way
Of camping equipment?
Two large rugs are splendid examples Of the
rug making industry of Ecuador, which was re-
Gently revived along the lines of early Spanish
colonial carpets of that region. They are
woven from llama wool, so thick that one fairly
sinks down in them, and the pattern is copied
from the designs Of colonial times. The colors
OF one are soft blue, mauve, pale green, gray
and black. In the other an unusual and beau
tiful red dominates the color scheme
priceless gift is the Inca death mask pre-
Sented by President Leguia of Peru. It is said
to date back 1000 years, and was discovered
by an eminent archeologist Of the University
of San Marcos Handmade, Of fine beaten
gold. it is one Of the most precious treasures
extant of the art of a vanished people. The
PresiGent-elect was impressed with its rare
quality that he announced at the time of its
presentation that he could not consider it the
gift to one man, but to a Nation and that it
would soon find its resting place in one Of the
national museums.
FROM Japan came q sword Of the Samurai,
very old, very valuable, with a beautiful
jeweled hilt and handle and a blade of finest
steel. To the old Samurai of the Island King
dom the sword meant spotless honor loyalty
and courage. In no better way can the Jap
anese express their confidence and esteem than
by the presentation of one of these ancient
weapons.
From Germany came a specially prepared
copy of q new edition Of "Agricola de Re
Metallica." 1t Is the first accurate edition in
German OF this huge old Latin tome on mining
and metallurgy, which was published by O
Saxon named George Bauer, in 1885,
From India came a grain Of rice engraved
with a message Of greeting, together with a
magnifying glass by which to read the minute
-,Scription. 1t was carefully packed in q small
silver box, that in turn was packed in q larger
box, and the whole was encased in many wrap
pings. Thus safeguarded it made the long
journey intact.
From every State in the Union have come
gifts. and more gifts, endless in variety and
numbers. Occasionally they are touching often
they are Ilni0ne. -