Morris tribune., 1905-02-25

date Of Feb. s, gives the present stu,
alton in detail NORWAY and Sweden
have each taken a long step towards
| the supreme crisis, which may mean
! war between the two countries. AT
Christiania, Premier Hagerup made a
sensational speech Feb. to the
Storthing, in which he virtually sald
! that the time has arrived for Norway
| to declare her independence of Sweden.
At Stockholm, as before stated In this
letter, announcement was made Il
King Oscar, who has favored meeting
| Norway in conciliatory spirit, has
given the reins of government TO
Crown Prince Gustaf, whose policy, II
is understood, makes it probable ne
will try to compel Norway, even by
force of arms, to remain in the union.
Rumor has it also, that behind the
| crown princes firm attitude is the
kaiser, and Berlin will be watched
with great interest during the de-
velopment of the crisis. Premier
Hagerup's sensational speech on Feb.
S was based on the failure Of the ne
gotiations with Sweden for separa te
consular service for Norway. The
negotia tions had ended, he said, be-
cause of Sweden's failure to live up
to the agreement of two years ago,
which, if followed, would have led to
an amicable settlement of the vexed
question. which had been under dis
cussion since 1887. He said a most
serious situation was thus created.
The people of Norway were animated
by a desire to continue the good under
standing with neighboring nations, but
the present conditions Of the union are
indefensible and cannot continue with
out the endangering of these rela-
tions. 1t was the duty of the storth-
Ing therefore to make an unrestricted
provision for the assumption by Nor
way of the national and international
position to which she is entitled as
sovereign state, and more free work
ing formy of co-opera ton must be con-
eidered if the existing bonds of union
between Sweden and Norway are to
continue. Premier Hagerup asked for
with the cabinet, which he said, was
prepared to resign if remaining in Of
flee was calculated to place difficulties
in the way of cooperation of the yarl-
ious parties. The premier's speech
put the whole matter up to the storth-
ing and there is nc telling what the
conferences now going OF will bring
about. If the members of the parlia-
ment can forget politics and take
united action is it not improbable that
something in the nature of an ultl-
matum will be sent to Stockholm.
Should such an ultimatum fail of re-
suits satisfactory to Norway, which
the regency of the crown prince almost
assures, Norway probably will run
away from the constitution and all
that binds it to Sweden, declare its IN
dependence, and ask for recognition by
the DOW ers as a nation by itself. Such
an action would create situation that
might bring all the powers of Europe
irto the matter The suggestion Ii
a member of the Swedish royal family, |
preferably Prince Karl, King Oscars
second SON, be made king Of Norway,
has met with reception in Norway
which causes a hope that if actual
hostilities 90 not come, this will prove
a solution OF the problem Of head for
the Norwegian government that Will :
he satisfactory to the powers. In
with the crisis ls much |
talk about Russian activity in Norway.
Russia is accused of pushing Norway
on towards a separation in the hope J
that the disruption of the union aud
the consequent weakening Of the two !
pations will enable Russia to secure
her long coveted ice-free harbor in the !,
west. The announcement that the |
government had been given into the |
hands of the crown prince as regent
was made after the session Of the /
council of state on Feb. g. when the
action was formally taken"
Tolstoi's Resurrection" is at pres
ent being given at the National theater
'Christiania) with Oddvar in the lead
ng role. There being many admirers
)f the Tolstoi literature, the play has
al aturally been received with a great
leal of interest and enthusiasm.
The number Of unemployed people
n Christiana is increasing at an
alarming rate There are at present
thousands of unemployed men and
women and the city and charitable Or.
,unizations are being taxed to their
Utmost.
The Right Rev. G. A. Vibe, of Fred.
ikstad died Jan. 20, after long ill
less. aged 70 years. The deceased
vas knight of Vasa.
The city of Stavanger has now a
population of $4,000 people. During T.
he year of 1904, there were 1,015 +