The Washington times., 1894-08-20
Natural and Industrial Marvels of
"Sweden's America"
THE AMERIcANIsr CONGRESS
His Majesty Speaks Of the United States as
tho Most Remarkable Country on the
Globe-Emperor Williams Unceremoni-
ous Life on His Northern Journey.

| y.
King Oscars realm has often been called
"Sweden's America" on account Of its large
riches in land which, although fertile, is still
unsettled and uncultivated. Consequently.
the poorer class Of Sweden preferred to
emigrate to the United States, instead of seek
ing new homes In Norrland, the real name
OF this northern part Of the kingdom. This
emigration was caused by the fact that
"Sweden's America lacked all communica-
tion by land with the capital and the most
southern provinces.
| The coast cities also suffered In the winter
from the ice-covered sea, just as much as the
settlements in the inner part Of the country
had to suffer the whole year round. But
when 1t was discovered that Norrland har-
bored great many hidden ricnes the govern
ment decided to grant money for the building
Of railroad which would connect the Alpha
and the Omega of the big kingdom.
| This northern trunk line Of Sweden has
now been completed. It was dedicated by
| King Oscar few days ago, and at the same
time opened for public traffic. King Oscar is
said to be Sweden's ablest orator, and he
| made the speech OF his life upon this occasion
| The festivities surpassed everything seen in
this part of the world, and with similar
events will go down to posterity as an epoch
In Sweden's history.
NoRTHERNMosr RAILROAD IN THE WORLD.
In order to understand this one should re-
call few facts about the just completed rail-
road. 1t connects at Boden, near the Gulf of
Bothnia, with the northernmost railroad in
Sweden (and in the whole worId). running
from the seaport of Lulea up to the Gelli-
vara iron ore mountains, forty-seven miles
north Of the Polar circle. This road has been
in operation for couple of years, and may
be considered as the end piece in the con-
tinuous string Of railroad of a length of
about $50 miles. which passes from south to
north through the whole length of Sweden.
This is a longer distance than from Berlin TO
Rome.
By the completion of this grand trunk
line. which makes the Swedish railroad sys-
TEN as perfect as possible. ii is believed that
immigration from Sweden TO America will, il
it does not cease entirely, at least become
considerably smaller. even should business
in the United States suddenly improve.
But this is not the most important point.
Norrland herself needs the railroad, as may
be seen by the fact that this Swedish province
provides no less than 20 per cent. of the en-
tire lumber supply of the globe, or more than
Canada and almost twice much as the
United States. The famous Gallivara mines
are also situated in Norrland These mines.
the largest in the world. are considered capa-
able OF supplying the present demands of the
whole world as regards iron ore for c6hturies.
GREAT STEEL BRIDGEs./
The landscape scenery in Norrland is
highly picturesque, not to say unsurpassed
for its beauty and the important part the new
line Of communication will play as regards
the tourist traffic of the north can hardly be
underestimated. The cost OF this northern
part OF the Swedish railroad net has been
about SO, 0O0, 900 CROWNS This includes the
rolling stock. The building OF the many
bridges, crossing various beautiful rivers. has
been most expensive. The longest and highest
OF these bridges-the one over the Angerman
River-measures 1,225 feet between abut-
ments. with the rail 153 feet above low water
level, and is built upon steel trestles in five
spans. The material in this, as in all the
other modern bridges, Is mild steel manufac-
tured by the open hearth process.
The tenth International Americanist Con-
gress has now been in session for five days
and will end its labors tomorrow. Lectures
have been delivered on subjects embracing
many important questions in regard to Ameri-
can history and geography. archaeology pale
ography, linguistics. &c. The United States
has several representatives attending the con-
gress. The American Geographical Society.
OF New York, and the Geographical Society of
the Pacific, of San Francisco, were both rep
resented, the former by Prof. Burke. of New
York, the latter by the Duke of Loubat, OF
Paris, France. The Argentine Republic sent
Prof. c. Berges and Liberia, Pendola. of
Buenos Ayres. Chile was represented by r.
A. Philippi, of Santiago. and Costa Rico sent
two delegates.
The Archaeological Institute Of Pernambuco,
Brazil, was also represented. and Mexico was
represented by Gen. G. Baz. minister to Paris.
Among other prominent notabilities who at
tended the congress may be mentioned the
famous savant. Prof. Rudolph Yirchow, of
Berlin, Prince Roland Bonaparte, and Prln-
cess Therese of Bavaria.
MOST REMARKABLE COUNTRY on THE GLOBE !
A great many festivities were held in honor
of the foreign members of the congress. The
feature of the celebration was, however un-
doubtedly the gala banquet given by King