The Minneapolis journal., 1903-04-22
IBSEN'S BIRTHDAY
Famous Old Norwegian Dramatist
Passes His Seventy-6fth Mile
stone He's Rather Feeble.
First Important Step in Establishing
Separate Consular Service for /
Norway Is Taken.
Correspondence of The journal,


20. Since the publication of his last
drama, When We Dead Awaken" not
much has been heard of him. This, In the
first place, is owing to his continued ILL
ness, which has made him an invalid for
more than two years, and he has been un-
able to do any, work whatever. Rheuma-
tism has troubled him to such an extent
that he has hardly been able to move about
in his rooms, even with the aid of walking
sticks. Every day he takes a drive ac-
companied by his attendant, thru the
principal thorofare, of the city. Regular
as the clock he starts out on his daily
trip at 1880 p.s m. ess#
~ Seventy five is a pretty. old age. but the
wizard of the drama assured me while
ago that despite his infir1nity and his sill
Yered hair, he was young yet, and hoped
to be able to do much more before leaving
this world. But he does not look like
a man who has many years left between
himself and the grave.
= Ibsen, like all great authors, usually re-
ceiyes large royalties for the right to-
translate his works, but in one instance
this failed. He received last year a copy
of his AN Enemy to the People" trans
lated into the language Of Japan, by S.
Mori, who is on the editorial staff of the
Jill Shimpo, in Toxic. Mr.. Mori also sent
Ibsen letter, asking hirii kindly to excuse
him for not having asked his permission to.
translate the work, but the chief editor
had been in such a hurry about it that
there had not been time for any such for
malities AS to- the compensation,-wel,
he sent the translated copy.
1t was from Rome that Ibsen in the sew
enties sent home one Of his most import
ant works, peer Gynt," in rhymed verse.
In a voice of wanton mockery it set up
the claim of an unyielding idealism upon
the individual to be himself and to Hbes
It thruout, not piecemeal and divided
Satire had led him away from the heroes
Of the saga, into the unheroic present;
but romance accompanied it, and COM
PEELED him to turn it's words into verse.
peer. Gynt" is a play that requires cost
ly and effective settings, and a stock of
competent actors in order to succeed and
1t has therefore not been played, for -twen-
ty-tiye years. Last season it was again
put on at the National theater, at the cost
Of 10000 kroner, which is rather high for
staging a play in Norway. There has
been full house almost every time the
piece has been played SO far, and money
has been made on peer Gynt'' despite the
heavy expenses. The performance lasts
from till about - o'clock, so it gives
full value for money invested.
On this last birthday of Ibsen. the first
part of his great historical play, 'Keiser og
Galilaer" written in 1879, was produced
at the National theater for the first time
here. 1t is a play on the subject Of Julian,
and in this drama Ibsen is a. preacher.
The advent Of a third kingdom is proph-
esied, in which the lifezbearing funda-
mental truths Of Christendom and hea-
thendom shall be harmonized ... .....s =
The cost of staging this play was about
the same as for Peer Gynt," but it may
be taken for granted. that it never will
bring half as: much money. It has the
fault, or virtue, Of being a notch above
the capacity of even what are generally
c}H r0d. .oox,o otoY,t p
/ On HIS last birthday Ibsen. s. health was
such that only his nearest relatives were
allowed to call on him: The only outsider
|so permitted was his great colleague,
Bjornstjerne 'Bjornson, if he may be called
an outsider, as his daughter is married
to 1bsen's only son. Even his daily drive
had to be- given up that day; but he has
now again taken up his regular daily tip
In his carriage. The day when he again
will be able to walk is perhaps bit tar
off. ~. a%# .s$:s
Separate Consular Service at Last
At last we have It, On March "a, at
lis p. M, the news arrived from Stock
holm that the Swedes had accepted the
proposition Of the joint committee thus.
| F1rst-A separate consular service is to
be- established for Sweden and for Nor
way. The consuls Of each kingdom are
4 to be responsible to such authorities in
| llelf respective nome countries as are
chosen for that purpose. ~:
Second-The relation these separate
| consuls are to have to the minister of for
eign affairs and to the legations is to be
settled by a, law, reading alike in both
countries, and this law cannot be changed
or cancelled without the consent of the
governments of both countries.
Further, the right to start negotiations
for a. separate diplomatic service is to be
made use of whenever Norway thinks the
proper time has arrived. .s
i Thus the first important long step has
been taken toward making the two coun;
! tries more equal more separate, and
despite it all, perhaps, more united thar
| ever before. The proposition is, Of course
to go before the Swedish riksdag before
the question is finally settled; but those
who know say there will be no hitch there
against a successful carrying it thru. The
difficulty will come in the making of The
law, Of course. ..-. Ess:&
Both countries will be relieved to have
H got to the end of the beginning Of this az
4 fair, which has absorbed their attention
for such long while. For some month!
the expectancy has been mental strai1
to many people. Now it is over and, a!
] usual, some like it and others don't, II
Il Norway, in general, the news has beer
received. with JOY. In Sweden there ap
pear to be some people who look on i
n the other way. The actual benefit tha
Norway will receive from the change, If i
l goes thru remains to be seen. 7, M. A.