Evening star., 1932-01-31

When cable wires were fairly trem-
bling with dispatches in 1917 about the
probable break in diplomatic relations
between the United States and Austria
no one waited for their messages more
anxiously than did an attractive young
mother living in st. Paul.
If the break came she knew there
was only one of two courses open for
her. She and her baby girl of
months could remain with her Amer
lean parents in the States while the
husband returned to his native land;
or she could go to Austria with him
At any rate, the husband must return
to Austria, for he was the consul of
that country at st. Paul
When the break finally came it was
the choice of this young woman TO
leave her native land and go with her
husband and baby to foreign country
against whom her own people had de-
clared war.
Thus was reached one of the most
trying decisions Nine. Gretchen Proch-
mix, wife of Austrias present Minister
to the United States, has ever been
called upon to make. AS she related
this experience recently one could
scarcely help rejecting upon the youth
of one who has had to meet such a
test.
x X
This Austrian diplomats wife is in
deed an affable hostess. One who meets
her for a delightfully."- informal chat
is convinced of this fact
AS Nine. Prochnik told of her war
experiences recently she was seated on
one of the wine-color velour divans
which add so much to the coziness of
the legation library. Around her in
tereSting books were tucked away on
white shelves set in inches of the walls.
There was roomy fireplace at one side
OF the room and opposite it at the
other side was library table on which
were autographed photographs of no.
tables, among them being those of CAL
win Coolidge and former President
HainiSch of Austria.
But Nine. Prochnik herself was the
real center Of attraction. Her bobbed
hair, brown with glints of auburn
through it, was combed away from her
face in soft waves. Deep Suntan-for
she had just returned from a Summer
at the beach-waS a most effective back
ground for flashing white teeth, which
were often in evidence because of her
refreshing sense Of humor And to
complete her trig appearance Nine.
Prochnlk was wearing clever morning
pajamaS Of blue and white polka-d
trimmed with a small white bertha
collar.
Il was born in Boston" she said.
When 1 was IA, however, went to St.
Paul. 1t was there I attended finishing
school"
And it was there also that she met
Mr.. Edward L. G. Prochnik And it
was there that they were married.
Some countries do not like to send
a diplomat to the United States if his
wife is an American" Nine. Prochnik
pointed out. The country feels that if
this is the case. the envoy has a ten
dency to become somewhat American
lied and therefore is not so distinctly
a representative Of his own country
On the other hand some countries like
to send an envoy } America whose wife
is an American, for it feels that she
can give him entree to persons and
places which could not otherwise be
gained. I don't know what Austria S
attitude is on the question" she added
with good-natured laugh.
But that would not seem difficult to
answer. Austria has retained Minister
Prochnik at Washington for IL years.
x K
People often ask me why I don't
engage in social welfare work of some
type Nine. Prochnik said, adding in
her inimitable way, but l always tell
them 1 have plenty of social welfare
work to do right here in the Austrian
legation with looking after the needs
OF four children.
Nine. Prochnik recalled the lovely
wedding that took place at the legation
in March, when her stepdaughter, Lo-
la k,il 1f
Spalding Of Boston. Through the door
way one could see on the piano a
photograph Of Loranda in her beautiful
wedding gown and veil
Mr.. Spalding is planning to enter
the diplomatic service" Nine. Prochnik
continued. If he does, history will re-
peat itself in a rather reverse fashion.
I. an American. married an Austrian
diplomat, whereas Loranda. an Aus
trian will be the wife of an American
diplomat "
Just then flaxen haired Valerie. with
bathing suit under her arm, came into
the library to tell her mother she was
off for swim. She was dressed in a
brown pOlka-dot frock topped off with a
Jaunty brown Empress Eugene hat.
valerie is 49," Nine. Prochnik ex-
planned. She is now at the Holton
Arms School studying and specializing
in painting. Throughout the Summer
she has been doing sketches on the
beach"
The only son in the Prochnik family
is Edgar L. G. Prochnik, jr., aged II.
He was but 6 weeks old when brought
to the United States as the son of Aus
tria'S Minister. ST. Adams is his pres
ent school.
1t is difficult to educate boy in the
United States that he may be fully
equipped to enter the schools abroad,
according to Nine. Prochnik For ex-
ample, a boy Of II in Austria would be
quite well advanced in Latin, astronomy.
algebra and other equally difficult sub
jects.
Here the emphasis seems to be on
physical education, while in Europe it
is on mental education" Nine. Prochnik
declared. Perhaps both are extremes,
and medium course between the two
would produce the best results"
Tfe youngest of the Prochniks is Pa
tricfa, who is 10. She too, like her older