Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1905-05-25
Recent Occurrences Of interest
in Sweden. Norway and
Denmark.
DISSOLUTION OF THE UNTO.
Views of DIR. Sven Hedin, tho Explor-
er, on the Dispute Between
Norway and sweden.
SWEDEN.
Stockholm.

Stock holm.
Said DR.. Sven Hedin. hewell known
explorer, to London Times cor
respondent May 8: "Since Norway re-
fuses to accept the crown prince
regents offer. there remains but one
step mOre-dissOlution Of the union.
1t will not lead to Scandinavian
war. Not q single Swede esteems the
present union worth one drop or
Swedish blood. Once dissolution oc-
ours Sweden, under no circumstances.
will enter into permanent defensive
alliance with Norway. We, are sure
that danger would arise to us from
Russian occupation of the province or
Finmark; but ii would be utter folly
on our part to rush into war with Rus
STA to escape this proximity. Ii Nor
way choose Of its own free will to
rupture the union Sweden must In the
future, obedient to the law Of self
preservation. study exclusively its own
protection no matter how painful ii
may be to see Norway in the grasp OF
| the despoiler's hand. We want our
blood and our treasure to defend the
ancient soil of Sweden. We cannot
sacrifice our army and feet in defense,
say of Finmark which a Norwegian
politician recently described as God
| forsaken place. Unaided Norway can
not defend this, its extreme northern
| province. Its land defenses to the
south along the Glommen, were con-
structed against Sweden. Transport
of troops in the far north is difficult,
owing to the absence of railways. Nor
ways transport by sea is inadequate"
Furthermore Or. Hedin replies to Eng
lands suggestion that Sweden should
oppose Russia in favor OF Norway
that such action would undoubtedly
promote England's interests. but would
expose Sweden to a naval war that
would bring its coasts, which are only
a few hours sail from Libau, under
the Russian guns. He recommends as
an alternative policy that England en-
ter into a defensive alliance with iso-
lated Norway and thereby become re-
sponsible for the security of Norway's
northern coasts.
King Oscar has so far recovered
from his bodily ailments as to make
plans to attend his sons wedding.
The exact day has not yet been made
known. but it is certain that the great
event will take place some time dur
ing the latter part of June. The riks-
dag has voted Prince Gustaf an APP
panage of $4,000 in view OF his APP
preaching marriage with Princess Mar
garet of Connaught. King Oscar has
presented the couple with the beauti-
| full Chateau Sofia on the sound near
| Helsingsfors as a summer residence.
Prince Gustavus Adolphus will go to
England some time in May and be the
guest of the duke of Connaught's fami-
ly until the wedding day. The arch
bishop of Canterbury is TO perform the
marriage ceremony in the presence OF
large company OF the royal person
ages of both houses.
The philosophical faculty at the Uni
versity of Upsala has granted the re-
quest Of the Upsala college, near
Orange, n. J., to allow graduates
from the bachelor of arts" and
bachelor Of science" courses OF the
latter institution to enter the unt
,versity and the high school in Stock
holm and Gothenburg without any
further examination. Thus the four
Swedish-American colleges of this
country are recognized by the highest
educational authorities in Sweden.
The Swedish Bible Society held its
annual meeting during the early part
OF the month. Cathedral Provost J. A.
Eklund made the chief address on
"The Authority of the Bible" During
| the past year the society distributed
1909 Bibles. The receipts exceeded
the expenditures by about $4,000. The
cash on hand has increased to about
$4,000
On May 10 parliamen debated at
length the proposal TO impose an ex-
port duty of 81 cents per ton on iron
ore. In the first chamber the prop
osition was rejected by vote OF So
to 81. while in the second chamber II
was approved by a vote Of 124 to SO.
The motion will. therefore. be referred
to a joint sitting of the two cham
bers.
Ex-Minister w. w. Thomas will re-
main in Sweden for some time to
come. He has leased quarters in
Stockholm for four years and has also
rented the summer villa at Lysekil
@. Sidenbladh, chief Of the central
bureau of statistics. has rendered his
resignation. Mr.. Sidenbladh has not
made known his plans for the immedi-
ate future.
NORWAY.