Morris tribune., 1905-11-18

sand years ago, however, they were
found as fishers at the heads OF fiords,
or wandering as nomads among the
mountains in very much the same q. s.
tricts as now and it is only recently
that they have advanced in any NUN
bers worth mentioning, along the
mountain ri63es south of 64 degrees.
During the last few centuries the
Lapps of Finmarken have multiplied
faster than the Norwegian themselves.
increasing from 1000 in 1857 to 1000
in 1891 Since 1926, however, the num-
Der of Norwegians has increased so
enormously that the Lapps do not
amount to more than 40 per cent. of
the population Of Finmarken. In the
Tromsoe and Nordland provinces they
are also relatively retrograding, but
the race cannot be said to be dying
out when throughout the country it
has increased from about 1000 in
1924 to $4,000 in 1S45 and 21,OO0 in
1891. Barely one-tenth of these are
now true nomadic Lapps. Most ct
them live as fishermen in the two
most northerly provinces. In the two
inland districts of Finmarken, Kar-
asjok and Ikautokeino, 95 per cent. Of
the population are Lapps. Beside the
Lapps the Lorthern part of Norway
has about ten to fifteen thousand
Kvaens. who emigrate to Norway
from Finland.
'"The name Of Hakon," says an Eng
lish correspondent, (which Prince
Charles of Denmark will assume if he
ascends the Norwegian throne, recalls
the remote past, in which Norway
was an Independent kingdom. Hakon
VI was the last king whom Norway
Danish princess, came to rule over
Norway, Denmark and Sweden and
strove to make the arrangement last
ing by the union of 1897. Sweden
revolted against Denmark under the
leadership of Gustavus Vasa, the con-
temporary Of King Henry VIII of
England, but Norway remained a
Danish dependency until 1914. The
first Hakon was a usurper, who drove
his elder brother from the throne in
935 and thus brought on a long and
fierce civil war. He was Christian.
unlike his predecessors and in his zeal
did not scruple to convert his subjects
by main force. Another famous Ha-
kon, who regned in the thirteenth
century, is remembered for his in
vasion Of Scotland in 1868. He was
defeated at the battle of LargS. The
new Hakon, who will be the seventh
of his name, also invaded England
and carried off one of it's princesses.
But he came and went in peace. His
wife is Princess Maud, daughter of
King Edward"
1t is generally conceded that the ac-
ton of the Norwegian government in
electing Prince Karl of Denmark as
king of Norway will be universally
iEdorsed by a large majority when the
plebiscite is held on Nov. II for that
purpose. Regarding the establishment
of a republic the Verdens Gang has the
following to say: "In no republic has
the president less political power than
the Norwegian king. Liberty has
nothing to gain by change. But
there will come sudden unprepared
break in thousand year transition.
There will come greater uncertainty in
our political life, less national IN
dividuality, less relations with friendly
powers, less assurance for Norway's
future. Nothing to win; much to
lose"
While there has been much agita-
ton in favor of republic, it is main
tained by the leading newspapers that
the movement is supported principally
by the socialists. some radical liberals.
and a few youthful students. The
bodies of the country.
without exception, the farmers and
most of the labor organizations, have
desired that all agitation end at once
and that government be established
with as little change as possible.
At the beginning Of the present year
merchant marine included
l AT steamships and 5,S43 sailing YES /
sells, with an aggregate tonnage Of j. |
451. .425 tons for 1920 vessels. During |
The year there was an increase Of 117 |
ships. For some years past there has |
been a gradual decrease in the ton
mage of sailing vessels, which has
been more than offset by the construc
ton of new steamships.