Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1902-12-13
Recent Occurrences of Interest
in Sweden, Norway and
Denmark.
MANY ARE FACING STARVATION
Famine Spreading Throughout the
Extreme North Of Sweden-Sit-
uatiOn Is Critical
SWEDEN.
Stockholm.

Recent reports received from Stock
holm state that the famine is spread
ing throughout the extreme north Of
the country. Seventy thousand peo-
pie are starving or on the verge of
starvation. Nearly all the live stock
has been isolated on the hills, which
are barren Of pasture, and is likely to
perish. In numerous localities the in
habitants are killing their focks and
herds and even their mich COWS, or
selling them at ruinous prices. Cows
bring only S. each, and sheep so cents.
Even in districts where the famine has
been comparatively slight, the saw
ings of the people, which are derived
chiefly from stock raising, are gener-
ally exhausted. Birch bark and seed
grain ground together is the common
article Of diet 1t is almost impOSSi-
bic for the farmers to get work and
they cannot mortgage their farms,
which the floods have temporarily rem
dered worthless. In, certain districts
the outlook is exceedingly gloomy. The
people will have to depend on very
slight croDs-less than half the pre-
viOus mini'nUm-Of extremely poor
quality. These distressing conditions
are to be found throughout the whole
stretch of country between the sixty
first and sixty seventh degrees of north
latitude and from the Gulf Of Bothnia
and the Russian border far into the
Interior Southern Sweden has con-
tributed 100000 in money and 1000
carloads of fodder and provisions. The
municipalities in the starving area
have been supplied with $4,000 five
year loans without interest. Neyerthe-
less. it is feared that all resources Of
the ADMINISTRATOR district VIII be
exhausted not later than the month of
March. Summer in those regions,
which are mostly above the arctic cir
Gle. does not begin until June or july.
The winters are characterized by pol
ar severity and the Egyptian darkness
is only relieved by the northern lights.
In nearly all SWedish-American COM
munities liberal contributions are now
being made and it is expected that
nearly $4,000 will be forthcoming
from the various Swedish colonies in
the United States. Liberal contribu-
lions are also being given by the
Swedes of Canada.
In the Christmas publication Of the
Swedish Authors Union King Oscar
has an article on his own fiction and
poetry. The royal author says: Il
have loved poetry from my childhood.
I felt inspired to write when I entered
the royal navy. There was more poetry
in the sailing ships of nifty years ago
than in modern steamers, but even
now a life on the sea has the great
est attract iOn for me. The sea al
wavs gives me a poetic inspiration. /
used to be very proud of my poetical
works. but I now find that they can
not be considered first class. l can
only hope that in the future friends Of
literature who appreciate the Baltic
will think my best work Over Depths
Toward Heights" King Oscars pri-
yate device declares that he always
tries to keep before his eyes the neces-
sity for facing the difficulties of life.
The kings first volume of poems, sent
ANONYMOUSLY to the Swedish Academy
gained ,pcOnd-class medal. His
TRANSACTIONS Of German works gained
him in 1873 the title of member of the
Academy Of Berlin. Many of his works
~ LOT int ..1n
English.
After Drotracted investigation, the
Social Tidskrift has published sensa-
tional article alleging that the workers
of Stockholm are forced to spend one
third Of their incomes for the rent Of
cramped and unsanitary tenements.
The article alleges that these condl-
lions are caused by speculation, mad
euuate transportation and lack of pof-
icy on the part of the town council.
The paper calls on the intellectual and
moral forces Of the city to unite in in
sisting on reform.
DR.. Sven Hedin departed Nov II for
st. Petersl urg, Russia, where he will
deliver series Of lectures before the
Imperial Geographical society on his
explorations in Central Asia. DR.. He
din will lecture in the Russian Ian
guage.
Professor Arrhenius, principal of the
Stockholm high schools. has been
awarded the Davy medal from the
Royal Society of London.
A Malmo paper states that both Ib-
sen and Bjornson will share one of the
Nobel literary prizes this year.
NORWAY.