Evening star., 1931-12-20

submarines and mines beSet every mile
of their way. When Mr.. Bostrom
reached his national capital he was
made undersecretary of state. He held
this position for several years, when he
left 1t to become Minister to Spain, "a
wonderfully interesting country" ac-
cording to Nine. Bostrom. Five years
tago he was ordered to Washington.
X
IT shall never forget the first glimpse
I had of your country on entering New
York harbor," Nine. 'BoStrom declared
fervently. THE skyline just seemed
to grow out of the mist like a castle. y
Neither was this sympathetic Swedish
lady disappointed in the view that
greeted her eye when the enchanting
skyline of New York gave way to a
broad sweep of land with "rocks and
rills and tempted hills"
II think your country is beautiful,
very beautiful" she said. California
and the Grand Canyon are simply
marvellous"
Nine. Bostrom had kind words, too,
for the American people.
Il like your enthusiasm, your ideal
ism. your hospitality" she declared with
evident feeling.
But won't you tell us more Of your
country, Nine. Bostrom?" she was
asked She graciously responded III the
affirmative.
I'm the northern part" she began,
"the mountains are very high and the
rivers very large. There are great
waterfalls which furnish much power,
and there are beautiful lakes, too.
There the inhabitants live very far
apart and the children of these people
find 1t very hard to go to school be-
cause Of the great distances and severe
weather. Many Swedes have helped to
establish places where these children
can go to school and be cared for at
the same time. With many others, I
have worked for years for these little
places sewing clothes and helping to
get food and shelter where the chill
dren can live and learn
Nine. Bostrom told of steel works and
pulp factories near the center of the
country that contribute their wealth to
the economic structure of Sweden. In
addition. the glass and china industries
are of very high standing. Farther
to the south, in the warmer lands, ag-
riculture and gardening flourish. But
Sweden. on the whole. Is cold coun-
try. with long Winters and short but
beautiful Summers. The light nights of
early Summer are an unusual attrac-
ton, for during this time one can read
at midnight without artificial illumi-
nation.
Our Winter scenery is very striking" ="
she remarked. There is one scene es-
pecially that I love-that is the birch
tree when the hoar frost Is on It,"
4 X
l.,
lend pictureSqueness to the landscape.
for Sweden in many sections still re-
tains its own nationality in dress.
Many of the people are skilled in
the handicraftS," Nine. Bostrom re-
called. They do excellent weaving and
make exquisite laces"-and she dis
played evidences of both. Much has
been done lately to encourage this
handiwork."
Two things that stand out on the
Swedish landscape as being typical of
the country are the castles and the
churches.
Many people are surprised to learn
that Sweden Is land of castles" Nine.
BoStrom declared. But there are many
of these buildings in all parts of the
country. They are always surrounded
by beautiful parks and gardens Even
kept and surrounded by neat little gar
dens." One very interesting castle is
the family home of Minister Bostrom.
There are churches everywhere. The
skyline of a settlement, be it ever SO
great or so tiny, is not complete with
out the towering spire Of Swedish
church.
X X y
"You have many things here In the
United States which We do not have
in my country" Nine Bostrom said in
conclusion. One of these things that
I love is your dogwood l have never
seen such beautiful specimens as I have
seen around Washington in the SprL~
Friends of ours have sent some of
1t to Sweden with the hope that it may
grow there, too"
The interview was at an end, but
this amiable Scandinavian woman had
struck reflective note which fingered
Dogwood-might it some day be Amer
cia's cherry blossom gift of good will?