The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-09-01
PROBLEMS AT KARLsTADt
Questions to Be Settled by the Scahdi
navian Conference.
BY w, b, CHAMBERLAIN.

While the delegates of Norway
Sweden took no other formal action
the first session of the conference y
terday than to organize and ado
rules OF procedure, there seems lit
doubt that a peaceful and friendl
agreement will be made, perhaps goin
as far as defensive alliance.
The Swedish delegates, it is believed
will not press their demands for th
offend Norway. It is recognized that
some Of these forts, especially that at
Freari ksten, would be of great value :
case the peninsula were invaded by IT,.
forces of any foreign power.
Disarmament Instead of Demolition
The Swedes, therefore, may withdra
the demand for demolition and subst.
tute one for disarmament. They COZ
tend that there can be no other than
hostile purpose in keeping these 70
armed and manned, and they argue II
either the forts must be neutra1ized, 49,
it will be necessary fer Sweden bu.
up great system of frontier fortifics
tions, fully manned and gunned.
The NorWeglans on their part u
quite likely to meet this offer halfwa
and to consent to disarmament. Thi
will dispose Of the most acute point o
divergence.
Republic or Monarchy.
The other important question will
that of the ultimate form of COVER
ment in Norway and the occupant 1
the throne, if the monarchy is retaine,
Sweden 8 delegates are alive to the dal
gers of permitting a republic to be 81
up. on their western border. They
haIi TO 10 I, e.,
authority to offer Norway Karl,
king 8 third son, on condition that
is well provided for in the matter Q
civil list. The rub, if any, is likely
come on that question.
A king must be provided with mo
enough to keep up his kingly state
discharge the ornamental function
which he is engaged. On the 9th
hand, Norway is small country Of Ii
tied resources, and a population butt
tie larger than that of Minnesota. =
cannot afford to spend so much none
on royal speetacles and kingly shows
Sweden, which is more than twice
we'll populated and corresponding
richer. This must especially be Dor,
in mind, in view of the fact that t.
people of Norway are largely repub
cans. The people cannot understal
why money should be wasted on roy
families, when it is so hard to GO
The Norwegian peasants-much as TIL
love King Oscar-applaude the acti
of the storthing some years ago in eli
ting down the kings allowance, az
grumbled when later storthing
stored the old figure.
question of Kings Salary.
The civil list Of King Oscar amour
to little over 100000 year,
which Norway has contributed less TIL
half. The present proposal of Norws
so far as it is yet understood, is to CO
tinue to pay its new king what it b
been paying King Oscar. The fount
Of the new royal house of Norg
would thus have We some 100000 kror
or about $1S7 900 a year with which
maintain his royal state. This may
considered too small by the riksf
which may, as a consequence, refusf
consent to the candidacy of KARL
nadotte. Inasmuch as King Oscar
made the consent of the riksdag al
.dition precedent to the candidacy
his son, it is easy to see that the d
tion of a civil list may be the cauE
republic in Norway.
Christiania Wants Royal Cont
Norway would not bother with q
government to stand well In theE
pean concert. They have a mona
ical union in Europe and Norway wa
to belong to the union-or at least
ministry does. The center Of NOM
ical sentiment is Christiania, the cs
city, whose people would get mos
the benefits of the royal show.
tiania has long been jealous of s
holm s advantages in this respect
has resented bitterly the failu
King Oscar to visit Norway more
quently, and stay longer. He has
obliged under the riksakt to come
year, but he made his visits as brs
| possible and brought his Swedis
tourage and carriages with him
| Christiania wants a chance at
court. In. the country districts
ever, the republican sentiment If
and it may yet prevail. The a
| the conference now in session
stad will have a large in1uenc
Ting that question.
The kings Norwegian E
Another question growing
j dissolution of the union will
| position of the kings Nor
1 tates He owns, besides the
videu for him by the stat
amount Of property, both
sonal. There are pai7tip
i of ancient Morse civ
i long TOT him and mum
| land 18th the buildin
= Go on I'd P-l--------