The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-06-28
FLOCK 10 IH NORTHWEST
TIDE OF INrsmGR ALTON FROM NOR
WAY AND SWEDEN IS IN
CREASINGLY LARGE
PRESENT SEASON IS FAR AHEAD
Consul q. n. Hobe Says the Influx
VIII Continue to Increase Until
Conditions at .HOme"
Are Changed

emigration from Norway and Sweden
Is heavier this year than it has been
since people began to leave the Scandi-
navian peninsula in large numbers for
America in 1850. immigration agents in
st. Paul look for the heaviest tide Of
newcomers from the European PENN
sula this year which any year has ever
shown. Last fall the tide was centinu-
Gus and large, but, from present indica-
lions the numbers of the last season
will be far eclipsed by those of the
present.
The reason of this large emigration is
not due to any unusual conditions ex-
listing in Europe, burt is perhaps better
explained by the fact that FAMILY it's
have. for years Teen broken by emigra-
ton and there is scarcely a family in
the old country that does not have mem
bers in America. These relatives con-
sanity write to their friends in the old
country, telling them Of the grand pros
poets that await them on this side of
the water This correspondence keeps
the matter of emigration constantly be-
fore their minds and as soon as oppor-
tun.ty offers they leave the cd world
for the new.
From point of earning capacity, a
laborer can earn about as much in Nor
way or Sweden as he can in America
that is, he can get about three crowns
buy about the same amount of goods
there as $3.50 will in this country. So
it Is not on account of superior earn
ing capacity in this country that in
duces people to come here from the
Scandinavian countries. The reason IS
that there is a possibility of laborer
becoming more than a. laborer in Ameri-
ca. They may even hope to become en-
ployers in America, while in Europe
their possibilities in this line are very
remote.
Mr. E. R. Hobe3 consul for Norway and
Sweden, says that the great emigra-
ton to this country is a. problem that
is confronting 2thel home government.
The strongest and best OF the laboring
class are yearly coming to America and
their leaving IS impDverishing the mother
country. In Norwagtit is said that farm
help is so scarce that the proprietors
are compelled to- labor in the fields in
order to get the necessary work accom-
plished. This was an unheaTd OF thing
prior to the last year or two. One of
the Christiana newspapers has taken up
the agitation OF the problem and pro-
poses to levy a tax of 200 crowns upon
each individual who wishes to emtgrate
from the country. The editor thinks
that this would keep a great many from
leaving, as theyfwoud be financially UNI
able to pay theI1tax But Mr.. Hobe be-
lieves the suggestion will never become
effective, as it Would take away the lib
erty of the people and would be keeping
them prisoners in their own country.
His idea Of the best method Tor stopping
this excessive emigration is to change
the conditions there, so that the people
will be content to remain Give the
laboring mansa chance to go up in the
world in Norway or Sweden and he will
not wish to emigrate to Americas to find
a place to work upward. 49,. ..sag. :
Speaking of the opportunity for further
developing the different Industrial lines
Of the Scandinavian countries, Mr.. Hobe
says there are many ways in which the
! several industries may be developed and
even new ones established. There is
vast amount of iron shipped from these
| countries each year This iron might be
used in factories there instead of being
sent to foreign countries to be manu-
featured into the different articles which
are made of the Swedish IRON The fish,
cries can be further developed and the
same might be said of the numbering in
dustry,. The great. water power Of Nor
way might be utilized in the production
of electricity which can be transmitted
to the surrounding countries ofsEarope.
Mr. Hobe says that it is proposed to
| carry this electricity across the North
sea to England and that English capt.
| tai is now invested in project to light
all England with electricity generated by
| the water power of Norway.
| What may be dene,@to reduce the emf
| grafton from these countries is a. mat
| ter of great uncertainty. but it is
| patent fact that. something must be done
| or the old countries will lose all their
| young men and wiz find great need
| of laborers. The problem is now one
| that demands immediate consideration
| by the government officials, for the peo-
| pie as well as the press are calling for
/