Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-10-14

King Oscar takes deep personal
interest in naval affairs, because his
early life was spent in the navy, his
commission as lieutenant bearing the
date of June 19. 1916. When he was
called to the throne he at once com
menced to plan for the Improvement
of that branch of the service. and for
many years WAS his own minister of
marine. He he has also done much
to create the maritime spirit among
the people, being president of the
Royal Yacht club, and presides over
| its annual meetings. which are always
held in the palace to suit his conven-
ience. He takes an active interest in
| the organization and the promotion
OF the naval reserve, and never loses
an opportunity to show his zeal in the
development of the shipping industry
and the aquatic pastimes.
| Nor is the king a paper sailor. On
| special occasions he has shown great
bravery and presence of mind at sea,
and OF his sixty decorations and med
ais he values none higher than that
! which was awarded him by the hui
name society of France in 1862. when
he saved the lives of three people at
the risk Of his own.
The officers of the Swedish militia
are educated in military schools. the
same as officers of the regular army,
No man can receive a commission In
the militia unless he has spent at least
sixteen months in military acade-
my and passed the required examina-
tions. About one thousand young
men are graduated each year from
the several military schools situated
in different parts of the country, They
being part of the educational sys
ten of the country. Thus the gov
ernment has at its command abund-
ant material for the military organic
alton The officers are promoted as
vacancies occur, are retired on hall
pay when they are, aged or disabled
generals at Go years, colonels at 60
lieutenant colonels and majors at 55
and captains at so. Militia officers
are eligible to appointments in the
civil service; they may be elected to
the riksdag, and they have the same
social standing at the palace as the
officers of the regular army. The pal.
ace is the center of the social sys
TEN in Sweden, and only certain per
sons are eligible to invitations to the
kings balls and dinners. All ctii-
GERS of the militia are included in the
list. and all the peasants in the riks-
dag, although their wives are never
invited.
Interesting stories are told of the
appearance of these gentlemen al the
palace. Nearly one-half of the mem
bers of the lower house OF parliament
are peasants, and they always go to
the royal balls because they consider
it part of their official duty and at
the same time they wish to show the
respect they feel for the king. No
doubt they are also prompted by curl
osity to witness the splendor and the
desire to eat at the kings table and
to drink his wines. Most of them
have no dress clothes, but attend in
their ordinary peasant costumes.
Those from Dalarne add to the pic
turesQueness of the scene, but, how
ever humble and uncouth their attire
may be, their native dignity Is always
apparent
Two balls are given at the palace
annually, on the 21st of January, the
birthday of the king, and upon the ma
tional holiday. Invitations are issu-
ed in the name of the grand marshal
of the court, and read, by the
kings most gracious command
etc. The cards state that ladies who
intend to dance are expected to wear
white gowns without trains. and la
dies who do not expect to dance. black
gown with trains. No formal ac-
ceptances or regrets are expected,
but those who cannot attend must re-
turn the invitation cards to the mar
shal ten days before the date. The
guests are invited from $3.50 till IL
o'clock, and everything is over and
the lights are out at l. Supper is
served at IL. Tickets attached to
the invitation cards are shown at the
entrance, and direct the bearer to the
robing and reception room to which
he is assigned. The guests are thus
distributed in the different parts OF
the palace SO that there is no rush,
crush or confusion. There is print
ed list OF all who are invited arranged
in the order OF precedence. and copies
are furnished to the attendants, so
that if stranger happens to forget
his card he need only mention his
name to be directed to his proper
place.
The social status of every person
having the entire at court is fixed, and
book is published containing their
names and order of precedence for
private as well as public use.
Strangers can obtain invitations to
functions at the palace If they are or
have been In distinguished official
position. If they belong to the army
navy or diplomatic service OF their
country. or have personal friends of
influence at court. Their names are
placed at the bottom of the list with
the names OF the persons who vouch
for their rank and station at home
No European can receive an invita-
ton unless he has been presented at