Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1904-09-22
NORWAY.
Christiania.


Norwegian statesmen, while they are
willing to admit that the Immigration
problem has assumed alarming pro-
portions, are now taking comfort from
the fact that the immigration during
the past year has decreased by about
5000. Still, the outlook is not he
most favorable and steamship con.pan-
les continue to prosper. A eorrespon-
dent TO The Morgenbladet adds: The
year il not over yet and 1t is quite like
~ that the last half year viii show
that more than 1890 persons will inn
Migrate, thus making the total immi-
grafton of this year just as large. ir
not larger than that OF last scar, last
year 32.2IS emmigrated from Nor
way. During the first six months or
the present year 1857 persons immi-
grated. lie chief cause for the con-
tinual immigration lies in the fact
that the agricultural interests in
Norway have been comparatively
neglected. The small farmer has a
hard time OF it in Norway and the
little pittance he is able to secure for
himself and his large family Is not
actually enough to satisfy his needs
Then again the returning sons and
daughters have become prosperous.
When they return to the homeland
they are anxious to tell their brothers
and sisters their relatives and friends
OF opportunities In America they Offer
them a helping hand and hence one
Of the causes for the young Nor
wegian looking for new fields In the
land Of the FAR west. This rule also
holds good in every respect to sweden
also. No countries In the world with
the possible exception OF Germany has
such close ties with America as the
Scandinavian countries. Travel
where you WILL" says a Swedish
writer In one Of the Stockholm
dailies. whether this be In Norway
or Sweden and you will finu few
homes In the rural districts where
there is not a son, q daughter or .
relative, who has immigrated to Amer
fca. Furthermore the Scandinavian
has a weakness for everything Ameri-
can and although economists and
statesmen are doing all in their power
to appeal in behalf of home in
dustries the little cottage on the hill
side or In the valley becomes more
narrow" During the last ten years
or more there has been a noticeable
change for the better for the farm
ers. The introduction of American
machinery has lessened his labors and
men Of affairs look for brighter days
Still Scandinavia has given her
sinew and backbone to America, and
Canada In fast receiving her share.
The immigration problem has therefore
become an issue In Norway TO which
the strained attention Of statesmen
will be earnestly given In the future.
Olaf Fjeldin, who is IS years old.
holds the record as the greatest bear
hunter I'm Norway at present. He has
during his lifetime shot not less tnan
sixty bears and killed one a few days
ago after a tramp in the woods of
over fifteen English miles. Mr..
Fjeldin Is still enjoying excellent
health and says he Will kill a few
more before he dies. He has, how
ever. spent most Of his life in
traversing the forests and has any
surplus of this worlds goods. He
killed his first bear when he was IL
years old. and never tires Of relating
to his friends the exciting incidents
of his first Dear hunt. Mr.. FJeldin is
a bachelor and has never condescended
to travel IN a railway train.