Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - XVIII. Swedish neutrality
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
314
SWEDISH NEUTRALITY [chap, xviii.
medical attention if necessary; in Stockholm itself a
public building was to be fitted up for lodging the
refugees that the trains and steamers could not convey
away at once. The Russian Government was to repay
Sweden the expenses of this organisation; of course I
pledged myself to this; but I was not asked for any
written or signed note on the subject; the word of the
Russian Minister was sufficient. This organisation
worked regularly throughout the war, and we had
nothing but praise for the attentions that the Swedish
local authorities and the railway companies lavished on
our compatriots.
All the same, during many weeks the Legation and
Consulate were besieged by the Russian refugees. The
Consulate had to issue tickets, and to give permits to
those who had no passports. The first days the confusion
was terrible. The street in which the Consulate stood
was black with people, and the Swedish police had great
difficulty in keeping order. Another crowd, though
rather less dense, besieged the Legation, composed of
those who came to appeal against the decisions of the
Consul, those who thought themselves entitled to
exceptional treatment or some favour, all official persons,
all those with whom we were personally acquainted.
In the office the two secretaries to the Legation
explained to all inquirers the route they ought to take,
re-assured them about Sweden’s entry into the war,
met or set aside their complaints and their claims.
Meantime, through the other entrance in the house a
stream of ladies and gentlemen, of friends, acquaintances,
of people we knew slightly or not at all, filled our rooms
and were received by my wife, my sister, and my
youngest son. There were complaints, tears, nervous
attacks even. Every one had arrived in a lamentable
state, most of them straight from the train, and almost
mad with fright. There were some tragico-comic
situations. One fine day the firing of guns was heard
at noon (this often occurs in Stockholm : saluting the
colours, or at festivals, etc.). At once the visitors in
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
