Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-25

A country where the sun glistens
coidlv on Arctic SHOWS and beats with
tnrrid f1erceness on verdure known only
TO the tropics, all within the snort
space of Is degrees of latitude. has
enough variety to satisfy the vagaries
of the most persistent climate-chaser.
Al least this Is the opinion of Sonora
Etelvina G.. de Diez de Medina. wife Of
Bolivias former Minister TO the United
States. and now on a special mission
for his government in this country. And
Sonora de Deiz de Medina knows
whereof she speaks for in her native
Bolivia the Arctic meets the tropics.
TITS all because Of the Cordilleras,"
she explained. This offspring OF the
mighty Andes stretches its slopes from
sea-level 10 the clouds throughout
Western Bolivia. inducing variety OF
climate and vegetation
To hear Sonora de Diez de Medina
tell Of her country is delightful. She
has a vivacity which makes her con-
versation graphic. Perhaps this is ac-
counted for to some degree by her
ancestry.
Sonora de Diez de Medina was born
In La Paz, the highest national capital
in the world. nearly two and one-half
miles above sea-level.
"Of course, Sucre is the legal cap
ital," she pointed out. 1T was there
that Bolivian independence was de-
clared from Spain in 1925. Except.
however. for the Supreme Court and
Archbishopric, which are still located
there, the actual seat OF government
has been moved to La Paz.
MY father was Fernando Guachalla,
one-time Minister to the United States
from Bolivia" she said in answer to a
question regarding her parentage.
"One unusual thing about him."
she continued anirnatedly, pointing out
q photograph of q large man OF
handsome physique, wearing much
decorated uniform of the Bolivian
diplomatic corps, was his red hair.
Newspaper men often said he looked
more like an Irishman than Span
lard"
And Sonora de Diez de Medina Is
certainly a daughter Of her father.
faint suggestion of his coloring mingles
with the dark hair and light skin that
point to Castilian forbears. making
this cordial little lady of Bolivia an at
traetive asset to any diplomatic corps.
AS the daughter of diplomat Sonora
de Diez de Medina had the unusual
opportunity of living in and learning OF
many different countries of the world.
Thus she attended schools in Paris and
Geneva. And when Minister Guachalla
came to Washington to assume his Dip
lomatic duties, the then Senorita was
given an opportunity to become ac-
uuainted with the American National
Capital. Here she attended Holy Gross
Academy for a while, later going to
Dana Hall, at Wellesley.
After q time Fernando Guachalla was
sent to the Court of st. James to rep
resent his country. There in London
q dark-eyed young Spaniard from Bo-
liviR was capably filling the office of
secretary of the legation. He soon be-
came interested in the Minister'S lovely
young daughter, and not long after that
Invitations we're sent out to the elite
Of London bidding them to the we'd
ding of Senorita Guachalla and Senior
Don Eduardo DieZ de Medina.
Since that time this popular diplo-
matte couple have filed many posts
together, including those at all the
capitals in South America, as well as
a number In Europe In addition, Sc
hassador from Bolivia to Chile, Cuba
and Paraguay at presidential Inaugural
tons In those countries. He also has
served three times as secretary OF state
Meanwiiiie. Fernando Guachalla was
recalled by his countrymen to be their
chief executive 1t was after his cleo
ton to this high office that he died.
That Sonora de Diez de Medina has
much Of the sparkle of youth Is ap-
parent. This is a pleasant surprise in
view of the fact that she has been re-
ceiving congratulations recently on the
celebration of her silver wedding ami
versary.
Il was married when I was very
young" she confided as one of the
secrets of her youthfulneSs. Now l
am young enough to be companion to
my children as we'll as my husband"
And Sonora de Diez de Medina Is
indeed a companionable mother to four
interesting sons and daughters.
Senorita Gaby is the youngest of the
de Diez de Medinas. She Is an accom-
plished typist. ana, in addition. knows
the diplomatic code. II was not I'M
usual TO find her often in Minister de
Diez de Medina's Office helping with the
stenographic work and tranSlating dis
patches. Senorita Maria, with raven
treSses, made her bow to Washington
society during the last social season.
This experience made her a valuable
aid to Sonora de Diez de Medina in
matters social.
Senior Fernando. the eldest son, Is
IN Bolivia, where he holds prominent
post in the Central Bank of La Paz. In
addition, he is a writer, having pub
lished a volume of his poems last year
Senior Raul has been in the diplomatic
service for three years working under
his father. At the present time, how
ever. he is engaged in periodical work.
writing regular editorial and feature
articles on inter- American affairs. I'M
der the nom de plume, CASTOR Nerval.
The biggest hobby in Sonora de Diez
de MeGinas life is her family. She Is
always keenly interested in what they
ike ard what they are doing Per-
haps this accounts. to some extent. for
her fondness OF the moving pictures:
WHERE To DINE.