Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-02-08
lust Between
Ourselves
BY Philip n. Love.

box of food or clothing to be sent
overseas, through the Red Cross or
otherwise, hopes to receive an
acknowledgment. A note Of thanks,
no matter how brief, from the per-
son who receives the package carries
q thrill that makes the effort and
expense seem worthwhile. Sending
parcels that bring no responses like
dropping stones into deep well and
listening in vain for them to splash
into the water-in word, disap-
pointing.
Finland is a nation toward which
we Americans have had some radical
changes of feeling. Because the
Firms were the only people who
kept up their payments on their
World War I debts to the United
States, we admired them for their
honesty. When their country was
invaded by the Soviet Union, we
rooted for them and did all we could
to help them.
Change Of Opinion.
After the United States got Into
World War II, we were dismayed
when the Films took the side; Of
Germany against our Ally, Russia.
Many of us decided that we had
been mistaken about Finland: Evil
IDENTIFY, it wasn't the fine, straight
forward, democratic nation We had
thought. From first place on our
list of favorite peoples. the Firms
dropped almost to the bottom.
Since the end of the war. however,
Russia's conduct has caused us to
alter our opinion of the Firms once
more. They still pay their debts;
they are still an industrious, thrifty,
clean, honest and straightforward
people. Maybe, where the Russians
were concerned, they were smarter
than we. At any rate, 1t is not so
hard to understand why they re-
garded the Germans as the lesser Of
two evils.
Right the First Time.
OF all the nations behind the
iron curtain" pulled down across
Europe by the Soviet Union, Fin
land still shows the most indie
pendence. We have continued to
help her, and she has continued to
respond-honestly, straightforward
ly, democratically. Now many OF
us are thinking that we probably
were right about her the first time
and also that she probably was
right about the Russians.
Anyway, a group of Junior Red
Cross workers made up parcel to
be sent to Finnish family There
was some disappointment at first
because the package brought no re-
Spouse. Finally, however, a letter
came from the mother of the fam
lily, who explained that her house
had been destroyed by fire and her
two little boys burned to death.
Sorrow Forgotten.
"You will understand why our
thanks have been delayed" the
mother wrote. II have not had
the strength to write" Then, offer
ing her Hearty regards and bless
ings on your work." she continued
May our hearty thanks reach
you there beyond the ocean on be-
half of our daughter Ritva-Tu
likki for the gift package which she
received in school. 1t was a Won
derful moment when she received
and brought home these American
>" For that moment,
OUR great sorrow was forgotten.
That was the first time in her life
Ritva Tuulikki received toothpaste
and real soap, and the box also
contained crayons. handkerchiefs,
beads and, most important Of all,
little doll. The doll has had by
now all sorts Of clothes sewn on it,
so that Ritva- Tuulikki says 1t Is
able to withstand the cold and win
try days that we have here in Fin
land.
Only Belonging.
"At the time she received the
package, it was the only belonging
itva-Tuuhkki had, because all her
toys had been burned. She said
that God had sent it, and that He
is at her side during the night and
every day. He arranges everything.
During Christmas eve the box
was her greatest Joy. No one was
allowed to touch 1t, so that her
sister Sinikka could only look at it.
But Sinikka is older, so they did
not quarrel about it.
THE box came to our little child
like the first beam Of light from O
foreign country"