Morris tribune., 1905-09-30

progress. But it must be remem bered
that the sessions are absolutely secret
and that the newspaper men present
have been quite unable to secure any
authentic information as to what is
happening in the conference. Then,
too, the session is likely to be long
one. Scandinavian statesmen are as
fond of argument as Scotchman,
and will thresh out every phase OF the
question and from every standpoint
before reaching an agreement. What,
after all, is there to fight over? Swe--
den. in the proposal of its riksdag,
practically guaranteed that the indie
pendence would be granted. That is
the crux Of the whole question. All
other questions are merely matters OF
detail. Sweden naturally wants some
concessions as salve to her pride.
One of these, the demolition of the
frontier fortresses, touches Norway's
pride And so there is q dispute over
this point, which gives the sensation
mongers an opportunity to cut the
leashes OF the war dogs in their in
flammatory cablegrams. But 1t is i'm
possible to suppose that the brother
peoples will go to war over such
dispute as that. The arbitration trea-
ty Norway wants will be granted by
Sweden, when this matter and the
recognition of the new Norway are
settled
French correspondents from Paris
insist that Norway is warlike in spite
Of the fact that these reports have
been emphatically denied from Nor
wegian sources. Says correspondent
from Paris in one Of his recent let
tiers: Despite the contradictory state
ments made on the subject, inforna-
ton reaching the highest quarters
here shows that the mobilization Of
Norway's forces is now going on. The
French government has made con-
ciliatory representations at Stockholm
with the view to averting rupture
The Aftenposten's correspondent at
Karlstad says the arbitration question
may be regarded as almost settled and
that both sides are directing their eff
forts toward a satisfactory under
standing in regard to the Freriksten
and Kongsviinger fortresses. The
Morgenbladet's correspondent remains
doubtful. He declares that it Is too
early for hopeful prognostications re-
garding the outcome of the negotia>
lions and urges Norway to be aler'
A semi-oficial denial was issued in
Christiania Sept. IS on the continued
charges of Swedish papers to the eff
feet that Norway is mobolfzfng her
troops 1t declares that Norway has
made no military preparations except
such as were absolutely necessary
from defensive point of view and
that the report that practically all the
troops in central Norway and in the
frontier districts have been mobiliZeu
is unfounded.
Fort Kongsinger, now bone Of
contention in the settlement disputes
in Karlstad), was erected in 1888 and
played an important part in later wars
between Sweden and Norway. 1t is
sixty-two miles from Christiania on
the railway connecting the Norwegian
capital with Stockholm. After the
union of Sweden and Norway it was
dismantled and remained, so up to a
few years ago.
Norwegian divers have arrived at
Jacobstad, Finland. to examine the
wreck of the British steamer John
Grafton, which was sunk by her crew
Sept. 10 after landing a part Of her
cargo of arms and ammunition on
barren island in the Gulf of Bothnia.
Among the steamers salved cargo
boxes of bombs and explosives have
been found, besides a number of
rifles
A Swedish American named Nils A.
Anderson committed suicide in pri-
yate hotel in Trondhjem a few days
ago. He leaves wife and three chill
dren in America.
The net receipts Of the Norwegian
postal department last year was 49,
600 crowns. 10000 crowns in excess
of the budgetted estimate.
Olaf Gtlbrandsson. Of Munich, the
Norwegian cartoonist. has been fatal
~ injured in an accident while tour
ing in his automobile.
An Ole Bull statue was presented
the Bergen theater by Nine. Wallen-
dahl and not by Consul Bors, as prevf-
ously reported.
Dr. Olav johann Olsen has pro-
nounced Hans Mathiesen insane. The
latter is notorious throughout Norway
q n forOar