Little Falls transcript., 1886-11-26
A CRISIS IN ICELAND.
Phases of an Interesting Struggle 70,
Home Ru1e--Rtgors of Danish Rule

r Home Rule---Rfgors of Danish Rule.
The extraordiry session Of the Ice
landic diet, convoked in accordance
with the sixty-frst clause of the consti-
tuition of 1874 for the purpose of con-
sidering the revision of the constitution
of last year, terminated on the 9th of
August last, the revision scheme hav-
ing been passed by an overwhelming
majority, writes correspondent of
The London Times.
In high-worded proclamation Of
November 2, last year, the king all
nounced to his "faithful Icelanders'
that the proposed revision could re-
ceive royal sanction under no circum-
stances. Its only effect has been to
consolidate the whole people into one
compact patriotic party, determined
not to rest until Iceland has obtained
what for half a century it has been
striving for-namely, full autonomy in
home affairs. Never before has such a
fervid interest been taken in a general
election as this year. Never before
has the language of the diet sounded
such a clear note of menace as at this
time. Emigration en- masse and a
complete depopulation of the country
are limited at as by no means improb-
able contingency should the present
state of political tension endure much
longer and no prospect open TO a SEN
sible solution. The fact is that the
state of the country is hopeless in al
most every direction. The fishing pop
ulatiOn is in an actual state of starva-
ton, and distress in various stages Of
acuteness is the general condition of
the whole land. Knowing that the
main reason OF this is simply mjsrule,
the government is sending quietly ship
loads Of relief to the worst affected
parts Of the country, Of course, at the
expense of the Icclanders themselves.
The commercial treaty with Spain,
which terminated in 1883. and the re-
newal of which on the basis of the
most-favored nation clause, was nego-
tiated successfully in the same Year,
was thrown out in the Danish rigsdag,
merely by way of retaliation, the re-
suit being that the staple export of
Iceland Goldfish, has been practically
excluded from the Spanish market and
the loss sustained by the poor popula.-
ton who earn their living by fishing
has amounted yearly to nearly 100, 900
kroner. Reasons of state forbid a
separate treaty being negotiated ON
behalf of Iceland, because it mi ght be
construed as an acknowledgment OH
the part of the government of Denmark
Of Iceland as a separate unit in the
Danish monarchy.
Then the truck-system all over the
land is exercising the most grinding op-
preston over the people Icclandic
trade is carried on altogethe with Dan
ish capital. At an interest of at least
IS per cent, the impecunious Icelandic
trader obtains his loan from the Danish
capitalist, which the formers starving g
customers, Of course. have to refund
him. The customer sinks deeper and
deeper in debt, and so serious has this
state Of things now become that multi
tudes of debtors have been forced bv
the merchants to pledge all their
earthly possessions, and prospective
earnings, moreover, until their debts
shall be liquidated.
Yielding to the clamor Of the coun-
try for 8 bank, the government has just
established one this year. But, in order
that it should be powerless to give any
relief to the oppressed trade of the
country, only 500, ,O0O kroner of incon-
vertible paper currency were issued; it
is made a legal tender, and the conse.
set \, Il ,c5>
hitherto have been paid in specie will
henceforth be paid in paper. and what
specie imports were formerly required
for the payment of customs, ETC., will
now cease. Practically this means
withdrawing from the treasury at least
100000 kroner of specie yearly, and in
wolves ultimately the absolute financial
ruin of the island. BY such denonl-
ination of currency as the bank has at
its disposal no assistance can be afford
ed or impetus given TO the trade of the
country. Starting without any capital
aud unable to undertake any money
paper, contracts and negotiations with
foreign banks will become all but inn
possible. If it were not for the excel
1ently conducted Scotch trade with the
island. which is extending every year,
the condition of Iceland would now be
one of unparalleled misery. Perhaps,
however, the worst feature of the situ-
alton is the INSCRIPTIONS seltishness
and rare incapacitv of the higher rulers
of the people, to whom such thing as
study Of national interests seems to be
something a'afra 0igmitatatm. Bureau
cratic superciliousness thrives appar-
emily we'll in the midst of misery. The
feeling in the country under these cir
cumstances is anything but reassuring,
and what the upshot will be if the king
should veto the revised constitution no
one can foretell.