Willmar tribune., 1900-01-10
Bjornson takes it for granted that
the DraSnnf 1anunaoo on,,I ro,,o,.1,

# Bjornson takes it for granted that
II the present language controversy
ls kept up stubbornly for q great
length of time it will divide the coun-
try into two hostile camps: Kris
tiania and tne eastern part of the
country, adjoining to the Danish-Nor.
Weglan; and the west, using the So
called pure Norwegian. He does not
mention what might be called the pan
handle of Norway, or that part of the
country lying north of Vrondhjein.
AS a matter of fact, in that part of
Norway, Swedish is better understood
than that Salmagundi of western dia-
lects dignified by the name of pure
Norwegian, and unless the dialects of
the North are recognized by the Ian
guare thinkers to a greater extent than
IN the past, the Frondhjein and Nord-
land people are apt to side with the
Dan1sh-Norwegian faction.
Prof. Hegstad is to teach Norweg-
lan-Norwegian in the university. But
we have it on good authority that sin
every line he writes he mutilates the
language he is to teach," and that ''he
mas written whole columns in which
there is scarcely a single genuine Nor
Weglan dialect term. His language
looks like a man wearing a silk hat
and sailors boots, homespun pants
and a swallowtail coat. It is most
artificial botch.''
r.. Sagstuen, of Lismarken, Gud-
brandsdalen, fell through the ice on
Lake Mesna and was on the point of
drowning, but he has presence of
mind enough to pull out his trusty
Knife (tollekniv), which he stuck
into the ice and chung to. He re-
manned quiet and shouted until some
loggers came and saved him. He
stayed in the water 55 minutes.
The students union has raised
$4,000 for a new hall.
DENMARK.
For the past thirty years the ques-
ton of selling the Danish West In
dies to the United States has been dis
cussed in the press at almost regular
intervals. In every case the matter
was left as before. But it will down
no more than Banquo's ghost. Now
it is announced from Copenhagen,
that negotiations for the sale of the
islands to the United States may soon
be completed. Captain Christmas, of
the Danish royal navy, having OBJ
tanned the support of President Nc
kinley and several cabinet officers in
the undertaking.
Carl Fischer-Hansen, Danish law.
yer who lives in New York is said to
be taking part in the arrangements
When spoken to about the subject, he
said:
"As is generally known, the first
negotiations for the sale of the islands
to the United States began in 1867
There were not consummated, how.
ever.''
Then he tells of the efforts to come
to some agreement before the Spanish
was intervened, after which his GOV
ernment determined to reopen nego
tiations. He continues:
Captain w. Won Christmas Dir
dincll-Holmfeld was ordered to visi,
the islands to ascertain the views Of
Danish residents upon the subject o1
the sale of the islands, for they have
the right to vote upon the question
He made three visits during the veal
just passed, and found that perfect
WI 1iror
should pass under the American flag
- captain Christmas then went tt
Washington for the purpose of ex
planning to President Mckinley thu
position taken by the Danish govern
ment and informing him that thu
islands could be acquired for $4,000,
600.
''Captain Christmas was then re
quested by Secretary Hay to return tt
Copenhagen and obtain from his gov
ernment more definite instructions
He proceeded to Copenhagen and re
ported to his government the result O.
his visit. Last week he was ordered
to return to Washington, and expect!
to sail from Hamburg for New Yorl
within a day or two.'
FINLAND.
The indications are that the exodu.
of Firms will be still greater in 19oI
than it was in 1899. It is claimed tha
the Elder-Dempster Company, O.
Liverpool, England, has closed con
tract for the transportation of 55,0oI
Firms to America during the coming
summer. All the steamship lines wer,
in on the rush for the business. T
is predicted that Minnesota will in al
probability receive about $4,000 of tn,
new corners, who will settle in tn,
northern part of the state. Michigan
will come in for share of the di
vision.
The governor general has permitted
the Ladies' Union, of Finland, to cir
culate lists throughout the countr,
for the purpose of raising money foi
erecting monument to the late poe
Zachorias Tope]ius