Word: pekka
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Dates: during 1931-1931
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...nation-wide subscription-on the distinct understanding that the President will donate his present to help fight tuberculosis (Finns being especially susceptible to this disease). Last week came the 70th birthday of a National Hero elected last February: President Pehr Evind Svinhufvud whom 4,000,000 Finns call Ukko Pekka ("Old Man Pehr''). Outside the little yellow Palace with its "palace guard" of two trig sentries, patriotic groups gathered one after another all day to warble...
Eleven years later Finland again had need of Ukko Pekka, much as Republican Germany whose first president was the Socialist Friederich Ebert turned at last to the former Monarchist von Hindenburg. In 1930 Gentleman Farmer Svinhufvud became Premier. Early this year he who had been Regent was elected President. Under his frowning rule (for the steely eyes can be stern as well as twinkle) Communism has been made illegal in Finland, Communists punished or forced into other parties. "But we know where they are," rumbles the President contentedly, "We keep a good watch on those fellows...