Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1903-04-04
NEWS OF SCANDINAVIA
Recent Occurrences of Interest
in Sweden, Norway and
Denmark.
RIKSDAG DISCUSSES THE FAMINE
Heated Contrc versy Takes Place Be
ween Members, Some Saying Re-
ports Were Exaggerated.
RIKsDAG DISCUSSES THE FAMINE
SWEDEN.
Stockholm.

The distress in north Sweden was
animateGly discussed in the riksdag
March %. A heated controversy took
place, cert;i in members asserting that
the reports were exaggerated and that
the central famine committee had
besmirched the fair name of Sweden
by engaging in a campaign OF men
delaney. This view elected vigorous
contradiction from number of men,
berS who had taken pains to fully in
form themselves with regard to the
facts. The minister of agriculture de-
clared that up to fortnight ago the
government vas convinced that it had
undertaken adequate relief measures,
but later investigations showed that
a further sum of about $25O,000 was
required, of which $4,000 had al
ready been contributed from American
sources. The central famine commit
tee diSmisses the censure of the hostile
action of the riksdag with scant
courtesy and reaftirms it's determine
ton to defend and aid the famine
victims by every means in it's power.
The opinion that Sweden has been dis
graced by the committees appeal to
the world in the name of humanity is
denounced by impartial men, such as
the foreign diplomats in Stockholm, as
worse than silly.
DR.. Louis kIopsch, proprietor Of the
Christian Herald New York;, who
came to Sweden to investigate con-
ditions in the famine region in Norr-
land and in Finland, has been rendered
an unbroken succession of ovations On
his southwark journey. The people
in the neighborhood of the railway,
having been Informed of Americas
benefactions. tocked to the stations
and INDUCED in remarkable demon
STATIONS of gratitude. Dr.. KlOpsch
earnestly praised the fortitude with
which the people had met their suffer
ings. When delivering $4,000 to Gov
ernOr Bergstrom the doctor declared
that in all MS travels he had never
found a relief system so we'll Or
ganized and so honestly conducted as
that of northern Sweden.
A report from Helsingfo-s states
that local officials there have been re-
primanded by the Russian authori-
ties for their lack of sympathy with
the famine sufferers and the unem-
plOyed. It is announced that greater
energy in the way of relief work
must be displayed on the penalty Of
dismissal. Destitute persons are be-
ing invited to share in the barrack
fare of the troops. Workmen's clothes
and tools paWned in extremity will be
redeemed. This action on the part
of the Russians is unprecedented, and
inspires curiosity not unmixed with
apprehension.
Eight large freight steamers, laden
with timber. left for South Africa
March 10 from Gothenburg. Other
ships are loading similar cargoes at
almost every Swedish port. This
means that the long-deferred move
ment Of Swedish timber to South
Africa, following the war, has opened
with a brisk boom. Exporters are
daily receiving large ORDERS This is
taken as a sure sign that South Africa
is beginning to recover from the
paralysis of the great Anglo-Boer
struggle.
According to the Westminster Ga
zette, the Scraphim order has been
conferred by King Oscar on the
marquis of Breadalbane. The marquis
has often been the guest of Crown
Prince Gustaf.