Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1902-07-26
Recent Occurrences of interest
in Sweden, Norway and
Denmark.
RETURN OF EXPLORER HEDIN
His Explorations Extended Through
Thibet-The Gotta Canal To Be
WiGened and Deepened.
SWEDEN.
Stockholm.

DR.. Sven Hedin. the greatest living
Swedish explorer, has returned from
his expedition to Thibet and other IN
explored reg ions of central Asia, haV-
ing been absent for three years. He
returned By way of st. Petersburg.
where he was accorded a private re-
ceDtiOn by the car at PeterhOf. The
ear has followed DR.. Hedin's eXplo-
rations with keen interest," having re-
ceived several letters from him de-
scriptive Cf the trip. At Stockholm
King Oscar gave dinner in honor
of the scientist two days after his re-
t.lrn. In recognition of eminent serv-
ices to science DR.. Hedin not only re-
ceiyed the insignia of the Commander
of the Royal Order of the North Star,
but the king went so far as to confer
knighth0Od on nina distinction
which is now very rare and, in fact,
somewhat Out-Of-date. The cOntribu-
tons to science made by DR.. Hedin
along the lines of geographical, geo.
logical. Zocl0Sical and chronological re-
search are Of general interest and re-
feet credit upon this country; yet it
is probable that Russia will derive
the chief profit from his work. DR..
Hedin has travelled 10000 kilOmeters,
nine-tenthG Of this distance being
Shrough regions never before visited
by Europeans. He has explored the
Wilds Of the Thibetan plateau.
searched tie regions surrounding the
LOpnOr lake, the last vestige of a great
inland sea, having often staked his life
on the success of his undertaking.
The department of PUBLIC works has
formulated plans for widening and
deepening the Gotta canal, in order to
enable ocean steamers to reach the
interior of the country. The Gotta
canal, which stretches from GOthen-
burg to the Baltic sea, is at present
controlled by a private corporation.
J. e. Won KrUsenStjerna, the minister
Of the interior before the recent caDi-
net crisis. was anxious that the gov
eminent should france the reconstruct
ton of the canal at a cost approximate
ing $1O.OOONOO il order that it might
be operated on q larger scale in con.
nectiOn with the state railway system
At an early period in the history Of
Sweden arose the idea of taking adj
vantage Of the natural depression
which interSectS the southern part of
the Scandinavian peninsula from Ska
gen to the Baltic for the purpose of
building a canal linking the great lakes
of Eenern, Nettern and Malaren and
affOrdinG a navigaDle route across the
country between the capital and Co
1henburg, the principal seaport on the
western coast. The idea was first ad-
Vanced by Bishop Brask. of LinkOping,
in 1916, and afterWard promoted by
King Gustaf l and Charles TX; but
the work was not begun until hun
dred years later. in the reign of Charles
XII. In 1853 the old locks were built
Baron Won platen organized the Gotta
Canal company in 1910, and lived to
see the work completed. The whole
route is 2lo miles, but the canal pro-
per is only tifty-siX miles. There are
hfty-eight locks in all.
A disastrous fire devastated large
part of the village of LekSand. in the
Dalecarlia province two weeks ;fgO.
Sixteen dwellings,. together with aliX-
Hilary buildings. were burned. and five
Others were greatly damaged. \ high
wind blew 1T the time. rendering the
work Of eXtnguiShing the flames prac-
tically useless. Thirty-tive families
were rendered homeless The loss is
placed at 3tO.OOO CROWNS The village
of LekSaEU IS located in the heart of
one Qf the most interesting parts of
Sweden. where the inhabitants still re-
tain the picturesque dress and the ODD
customs Of centuries ago.
During tA' ten days ending with
July IL not less than eight temperance
conventions were held at the capital !
The White DibbOnerS met the 9th, the
National Coed Templars the It'll. and
the fOllOWin- day the grand lodge OF
the International Order of Good Tenn !
plars assembled, with representative
from all civilized countries. while the
Northern Temperance society assem-
bled on the following day The remain
ing four were the Order Of Verdandi
the Templars, the Blue Ribbon society,
and nOndescript organization.
a. L. Wernstedt, one of the young
est shipbuilders in Sweden, recently |
won a prize offered by the French
sporting journal lie Yacht for the best |
boat in point of construction. In the |
race arranged for the contesting craft !
MIR. Wernstedts yacht outpointed all |
Others and won the race
King Oscar will arrive at Marstrand. |
the favorite Swedish watering place
ON the western coast, the last day Of !
the present month.
ST. +