The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-05-06

The Norwegians win celebrate
IGrand concert and entertainment az
Fishers opera house May II. In COM
incarceration Of the Norwegian decia,
ration OF Independence, 1914.
why do the Norwegians want to
celebrate their old country independ-
ence day anyway. Haven't We our
own dear Fourth Of July and Is not
that good enough for them?
Yes, WIZ DO they.
And why do the Irishmen celebrate
ST Patricks day and the Dane the 9Th
of June and the Germans the day OF
Sedans, and the French the 18th OF
June. ana so forth, and so on! All
things considered. II is a credit to
these people that they celebrate these
days which for one reason or other
have become dear 10 them. So far as
the Norwegian is concerned, / know
that the dearest day to him is the
Fourth OF July and then the 18th Of
May. And why?
Listen!
In February. 1914. the holy alliance
forced King Fredrick VI OF Denmark
and Norway to renounce his rights to
Norway and to release his Norwegian
subjects from their oath OF allegiance
to him. The presumption was that
the king Of Sweden should very simply
take the king -forsaken Norwegians as
ihis subjects. In consideration OF this
brilliant prospect the king Of Sweden
transferred to Denmark the last Of
Sweden't possessions in Germany since
the sO-year war. the province on
Pomerania.
Unfortunately for this arrangement
the Norwegians objected. claiming
that when the king had released them
from their allegiance to him, he had
gone to the limit OF his power and
for the rest they were able to think and
lact for themselves. A constitutional
Iconyention was called, which on May
la declared Norway to be a free and
independent kingdom and adopted
Iconstitution. which was then, and with
later amendments. still is the mosi
liberal and democratic in Europe. save
lnone. 1t is a well recognized fact that
lin many ways II was framed after the
Iconstitution Of the United States.
To enforce the treaty to kiel the
Swedish crown prince-elect, Charles
John, the former French marshal
lBeruadotte, then invaded Norway with
900 men. Against him the Nor
lwegians had $4,000 men In the frs
lime and 10000 reserves. The malr
Swedish army gained few slight ad
lvantages and the Norwegian king
IChristlan Fredrick. In spite Of protes
Ifrom officers and soldiers avoided
lbaetle and retreated. But the SECOND
, ISwedish army under General Calm
was repeatedly defeated taken pris
oners or put to flight. The position o
Charles John was not altogether en-
viable. A large part Of the Swedish no
biIity was openly hostile to him; tn
Allied powers. which had bought hi
support against Napoleon for spo
cash, didn't show any tender feeling
for the promised Prussian and Russian
reinforcement seemed to be forgotten
Immediately after Gen. Cams de
feat Charles John suggested an ar
mistice. during which 1t was agree
that Norway should be united wit!
Sweden as free and sovereign king
dom under the kind of Sweden. VIII
should swear allegiance to the consti
tuition Of Norway with such change
as the union made necessary. On No
vember 4 the union act was ratified b
the Norwegian storthing and tn
Swedish negotiators, and the swed
ish king was elected king Of Norway
the treaty 10 kiel by this act becomin
null and void. A joint committee wa
then appointed to arrange for the com
IInon inter and relations and In tn
Ilfollowing year the interstate act wa
adopted by both countries. From tn
| lii will be easily understood why II
IlNorwegian independence day is dear
III Norwegians wherever theY may b
HIKE the father of our dear adopte
country, our fathers fought for the
Iliberty and their constitution. ar
Therefore We want all good people
| Join with US in celebrating the No
wegian Fourth Of July.
The Norwegian singers are going
represent Astoria at the Norwegii
sangerfest August 26-27-2S. They a
lmostly fishermen, who have practic
y in the evenings for the last TO
!, months. and have now at their cor
: mand a number Of songs which mu
:. be heard to be fully appreciated. Wor
X Twin not suffice.
!. The choir consists Of rs voices a.
. bids fair to represent our beautif
= city I'm the only way she should