Mr. Thomas to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Stockholm, March 20,
1903.
No. 306.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith, in
English translation, copy of a letter received by me from Hon. Karl J.
Bergstrom, governor of the province of Norrbotten, the most northern and
territorially the largest province of Sweden. It is also the province
which has suffered most from the failure of the crops of last year.
In this letter Governor Bergstrom extends to me, as the representative of
America, an expression of the warm and profound sentiments of heartfelt
gratitude of the inhabitants of Norrbotten for the generous
contributions to famine sufferers received from Swedish-Americans and
from American citizens generally.
As Governor Bergstrom desires that a knowledge of the feelings of
gratitude which fill the breasts of the famine sufferers of Norrbotten
should be communicated to the American people, I would suggest that the
widest publicity be given to his letter.
In transmitting these honorable sentiments, I embrace the opportunity
personally to testify that the noble donations of American citizens to
the famine-stricken people of northern Sweden, in this time of their
greatest need, have drawn more closely together the strong bonds of
friendship and good will that have always united America and Sweden.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
Mr. Bergstrom
to Mr. Thomas.
Sir:
* * * * * * *
I am very anxious, Mr. Minister, to extend to you, as the
representative of the United States of America, an expression of the
warm and profound sentiments of heartfelt and devoted gratitude
which fill the souls of the inhabitants of the province of
Norrbotten, so severely afflicted by failure of crops, for the gifts
which they have already received from the noble and warm-hearted
people of the United States. Although the first gifts to the
sufferers came from the sons and daughters of Sweden, who in the New
World have won respected and economically independent positions, it
seems that now the whole great and free American nation has with
sympathy and brotherly love taken in hand those here in the lofty
north who are so cruelly visited by severe misfortunes.
For the ample proofs of noble self-sacrifice and magnanimous
generosity toward the people of Sweden, Finland, and Norway, of
which Norrbotten will doubtless receive a portion, the Swedish
people and the inhabitants of the province of Norrbotten can not
feel sufficiently grateful.
[Page 732]
For Norrbotten it has been a great comfort to feel the interest which
has been shown this remote part of the world by the people of
America and its influential newspapers, two of which have sent to
Sweden special correspondents to investigate the situation.
The esteem which the Swedish people have always cherished and evinced
for the American people will, through the sympathy now shown, be
still more confirmed and united with grateful feelings.
It would be exceptionally dear to my heart if the American people
could be given a knowledge of these feelings of gratitude, so feebly
interpreted by me, which fill the breasts of the famine sufferers in
the province of Norrbotten.
I wish to avail myself of this opportunity to express to you, Mr.
Minister, my recognition of the great zeal and self-sacrificing work
which Mr. D. O. Bell, in your service, has laid down for the
sufferers in Norrbotten. I feel that I am deeply indebtedto him for
all that he has done for the famine sufferers.
With great respect, etc.,
Karl J. Bergström,
Governor of the Province of
Norrbotten.
