The Minneapolis journal., 1902-06-27
Normannaheinen
RED FLAG IN SWEDEN
The Emblem Used in the Recent
Socialist Demonstrations.
PROF. BUGGE's WORK ON RUNEs
His New Book Shows Interesting Re-
search Into Ancient NorNTe-
gian inscription.

The red flag''-the dreaded emblem OF
socialism and anarchy-has been seen in
the streets of Stockholm, the beautiful
capital of Sweden, which next to Its
neghbor, Russia. is the most feudal and
oligarchic country in Europe! says the
New York Times. And, more astonlsh-
ing yet, the same red fag-the terror OF
autocrats and nobles-was used IN a
peaceful demonstration; headed the i'm
posing procession Of 1000 mechanics,
laborers, and professional men-the
flower Of the socialists Of Sweden, whose
Just demand for universal suffrage occa-
stoned that novel political strike which
toycotted the government into uncondi
tional surrender!
This big strike of the combined trades
unions of all Sweden is remarkable FOR
more things than one. In the first place,
1t affords a striking example OF the vast
power OF labor if used under proper guild
ance; and, secondly. it so effectively
cowed the proud oligarchy which las
ruled over Sweden for SO many centuries
that the government" that is the agrar-
ians. hastily acquiesced, and promised
universal suffrage for 1904.
In the extensive comment and attention
which this unusual strike has attracted
in the States some curtously erroneous
impressions as to the causes and condi-
tions which led UP to this remarka bic
boycott have found their way into the
American and English press. In the first
place, it was said that the whole affair
was propagated by the socialists entirely
This is not so, however. The three
days strike was merely the climax of
the struggle of the workingmen and
masses of the hngodm for universal suf-
frage which has been waged for the last
year or so-by socialists. radicals, and
lmoderates in unison.
And right here it may be said that in
Scandinavia, the socialists are more re-
Ispected than feared because their pro-
gram contains no allusion to "the crime
iof holding property" and also because
they entertain no ambition to overturn
Ithe monarchical form of government. In
decd, their chief aim is to improve the
icondition morally, mentally, and socially
iof the mechanic and peasant; to educate
them up to a standard which will make 1t
impossible for the so-called upper classes
to bulldoze them. Books and lectures
therefore play an important role in the
socialists campaign. They have reading
clubs and societies whore famous men
lecture to them on all conceivable sorts
Iof subjects they have societies in which
the sick and idle are taken care Of and,
finally, they produce plays in which the
lcontrast between poverty and wealth,
between the rich and the poor, the classes
land the masses are vividly set forth.
But the urinary object Of the socialists
is naturally TO acquire control OF tlle law
making machinery, and the government.
To achieve this result they must secure
Icontrol of the parliamentary bodies, and
to secure control Of the parliamentary
bodies. again they must have votes.
In Denmark, where more liberal cleo
toral laws are in use than in Sweden, the
socialists have succeeded in gaining con-
siderable political power, but in Sweden
lowing to the above referred to restric-
tions. their Influence is practically nil
Hence their notable struggle for electrical
reform. which has Just terminated in 2
complete victory, in the winning OF which
they we're actively assisted by the radi-
Gals under Hedin.
Bjornson's New Play.
Verden's Gang announces that Biornstierne