The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-22

IL S1GURD BsEN, :
5 Dramatists Only Son Is Talented Dip 3
T.. lomat. s
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BY w. B. CHAMBERLAlN;
Managing Editor Of The journal.
Copyright, 1905, by The Minneapolis Journal.
Christiania, Norway, July 29.-At the
home of Biornstierne Bjornson in Aule-
stad, it was my good fortune to meet
his son-in.law, Sigurd lbsen, who has
won in diplomacy and politics laurels
worthy the son of Henrik Ibsen, and
been closely identified with Norwegian
politics. Mr.. Ibsen will be remembered
In Washington, where he was secretary
| OF the SWedish-N orwegian legation dur
ing the second Cleveland administra-
ton: He has held portfolios in several
ministries in Norway and was one Of
the councillors of state at Stockholm
when the consular service bill was sub
mltted for the kings sanction. When
the present provisional government was
formed, there was no portfolio open for
him here, and to save Premier Michel
sen embarrassment he retired from the
ministry. He is, however, very close
"
whose entire confidence he possesses,
and which constantly seeks his advice
and counsel.
An Ideal Diplomat.
Mr.. Ibsen is a distinguished-look
man in the. forties, to whom no photo
graph can do justice. His snow-white
complexion and dark hair, makes his
face. a striking one, while his habit Of
looking at you inscrutably thru half
closed eyes, his polished and courtly
manners and his ability to speak three
or four languages besides his own, com
newspaper men here tell me that he is
almost impossible to interview and that
he has kept close silence all thru the
crisis. Something In the frank and
genial atmosphere of Aulestad, however,
must have dissipated his reticence, for
over our after dinner coffee he discussed
the whole situation with me very can
didly-leaving it to me, as he said at
the close of the interview, not to com.
promise him or his country by revealing
too much in print.
The Kings Two Great Mistakes.
"Norway," said he, Knight perhaps
have been more patient, but the step
she has taken was inevitable, sooner or
later. The method used may possibly
be criticized. but the end attained was
! the events leading up to the crisis in
detail, familiar as they are. But OBJ
serve that the king made two tremen-
, dous and irretrievable mistakes: First,
he confessed in so many words thai he
could not form ministry to govern
Norway; second, he did not come to
, Norway and make an effort to ascertain
, | a oh of l.
J These two mistakes form in effect a
moral abdication. Oscar practically
vacated the throne of Norway. -
J Had the king or Sweden any warn
ing Of what would followq'' -.
Sweden Fairly Warned.
ooh yes; they had been warned
b roo t sc6 tnat Noswsy woud
. loose from the union. But they would
: not believe it. The negotiations had
J., been begun and broken off so many
q times and factionalism had so Otter
t prevented Norway from presenting q
g united front that they believed it would
: never be possible. Why, I myself otter
= warned the king and the crown prince
Q personally of what the temper Of ou1
e4 people was. said the same thing tc
4 Premier Bostrom and his advisers.
: have had many conversations with the
+ foreign minister, Count Gyldenstiolpe
: on the same topic. They did not be
lieve [ told them the truth. And Sc
= the crisis has found Sweden unpreparec
: and it has taken the riksdag Ions
9 time to make up its mind what to do
! Even when the king refused to sanction
| the consular bill, he thought fresh ne
> goGiations would ensue. If he actet
; on Swedish advice, am glad the unio1
T is broken and Norway is no longer tiel
b to foreign policy based on such alb
! surd notions.'
r,s6 Mas t n will BE ths answer to tn
o "They may perhaps form basis TO-
+ kronor credit looks as if Sweden di,
+ not expect them to be accepted
e EfDoes that loan mean that Swede1
v meditates war?''
u War Would Be a Foolish Venture.
e 1T can scarcely think so. A wa
would be foolish venture for Swede1
because she could not possibly profit b,
it. It happens that her military system
y is just now in state of transition AM
o at its weakest, whereas Norway is full,
n prepared and can muster almost a
s many soldiers as her rival. We shoulI
+ also have the great advantage of bein!
!. on the defensive. Our navy, is weaker
q Dut our COdSU HAS lnnun6TaDlo larDOr
9 and can never be blockaded. Til,
country is SO mountainous and mac
!. cessible as to be in itself practically
unconquerable.
+ Those Frontier Forts.
: j"tWill Norway give up her frontier
!, forts as Sweden demands2''
| "They were built purely for defense
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