Evening star., 1931-12-13
Women of Diplomacy
Interesting Interviews With Interesting Person
ages Now in Washington.
BY PAULINE H. FREDERICK
BY PAULINE A. FREDERICK.


Guatemala-the country of eternal
Sprtngtine This telling phrase at
taehed itself long ago 10 the saga of
the most northern country Of all Gen.
tral America, and not without Just
cause.
At least this is the statement that
came recently from one of its most
charming Countrywonen, Sonora Dona
Maria de Recin0s, wife Of Guatemala S
Minister to tn United StEt~C.
Although VIC arc n thc tropics, the
weather IS usually Ike Spring" Sonora
Ce EecinCs remarked, fastening en- 10
explain this almost paradoIical Situa-
ton. The varying attitudes given my
country by the northern branch of the
Andes are responsible for this condi-
ton. There is no marked change in
the seasons such as you have here in
the United States except for the pc
riods known as the rainy and dry sea-
sons"
Land of Springtime.
So that was the secret of Guate-
malas success in drawing tourists to
herself from many lands! When SHOWS
are flinging their chilly cloak over the
North and the sun is withering hu-
manity and vegetation in the tropics,
man, with his ingenuity for ferredng
ont some comforts in the cruel Old
NC-lG. p2CE5 up las trua,., climbs into
Is pane. 2nd, presto, Is in the land
G. GD-.ns, me
Guatemala Is CAiy cboIS the size Ct
ta1 State OF New EOI4,' Sonora de Re-
Cil~s CbScrl cd, bat, Of course, VIC have
not the population New York has. My
country is the largest in Central Amer
ica in population
Sonora de Recinos is a gracious rep
resentative of this Latin American re-
public, and is at her best when discus
sing the subject nearest ner heart, after
her family-Guatemala.
Not only was her quiet manner Of
speaking and the interesting subject
matter Of her conversation of great
attraction to her listener, hut her per-
sonal appearance enhanced the effec-
tiyeness Of the qualities. She is dis
tinctly of the Castilian race, with
beautiful black hair that falls in waves
about her face. Her eyes are dark and
set eff to advantage a fair skin. She
locked especially well in simple white
silk morning frock.
"You are Guatemalan by birth?" she
was asked.
yes" was her reply, but I have
spanish blood, nevertheless, for that
race has many descendants in my
country"
Son and Three Daughters.
Sonora de Recinos' own interesting
little family is composed of one son
and three daughters. Laura, IA, and
Adrian, II, are in school in Baltimore,
while Beatrice, 0, and Maria. 2, are
with their parents at the legation.
And what spots of beauty there are
IN that legation! Sonora de Recinos
had chosen a charming salon in which
to receive her caller.
No doubt you call this the gold
room" it was suggested to her.
And there seemed ample reason for
such a venture, for everything ap-
peared in golden setting The walls
were covered with gold-color silk tap
eStries in floral design, the draperies
were of gold cloth, many pieces of fur
niture were of the same color, with
now and then figures of a brighter
hue on the tapestried back Of a Louis
XVd chair.
mo, we call this the French ROOM"
Sonora de Recinos countered pleas
antly, correcting the title, but not the
impression.
QuetzaI Adds Color.
1t is true that there is a most in
teresting spot of brilliant color in this
room which one cannot fail to notice
To the right as one enters there stands
On q pedestal a stuffed quetzal, a gor-
geous bird found in the Guatemalan
mountains. Its crested head is of emer-
CID green and narrow, long and yet ex-
c3eo1ngly graceful tail feathers are of
the same rich coloration. Its breast is
ruby red and the undertips of the
wings are white.
THE quetzal cannot live in captiv-
ity," Sonora de Recinos pointed out,
thus it is known as the symbol of
liberty. That's why we have it in the
coat OF arms Of the republic"
1t isn't the good fortune of every
person away from his native land to
have the opportunity of gazing three
times day at familiar scenes of his
nome country. Yet that is the happy
experience of the Recinos family, for
each time they enter the beautiful din
ing room OF the legation they are able
70 catch glimpses Of Guatemala.
Murals of Homeland.
It seems that when the legation was
acquired by Guatemala for its diplo-
nlaslc residence in Washington, some
one conceived the happy idea of hav-
ing an artist execute n1urals of some
of the republics famous scenery about
the walls Of the dining room. The re-
suit has been most effective.
Upon entering through the wide
doorway from the French room there
Is spread before you, above the raahoq-
any paneling, a panoramic view of
Guatemala City. To the right ruins
Of great palaces suggest a grandeur
that once was Spanish architecture in
Latin America. And beyond this. blue
Lake Atitlan stretches itself to mirror
volcanic peaks towering above it. A
glimpse of Antigua. ancient home of
the Spanish captains general with the
ruins OF picturesque monastery in the
foreground, has been done on the lcfS
wall At the back th?re can be seen
a typical view Of lush tropical vegeta-
ticn. with here and there monuments
Of the ancient Maya Indian tribes
So, you see, we have Guatemala