New-York tribune., 1905-07-17
HAY FEVER AND FISHING.
IN MINNESOTA POLITICS.
ScandiRaUians Meet U'ithOut Senator
Nelson and Governor Johnson.
[raoM THE TRIBUNE suREAU.l


Washington. July 16-The strained relations
of Sweden and Norway have operated to create
a peculiar political situation in those North
western States where there is large Scandina-
Wan vote. This is particularly true OF Mime
sofa and Wisconsin. where from - to 30 per
cent OF the population is either Swedish or Nor
wegian Minnesota politicians are especially
perplexed over the existing conditions.
Governor Johnson of that State is swede
and a Democrat Senator Knute Nelson, the
senior member in the upper house OF Congress,
is Norwegian and Republican. while the
Scandinavian vote is divided about equally be-
tween the two races.
In the last two weeks there have been held
numerous meetings in Minnesota and Wiscon-
sin. chiefly by Norwegians. with the purpose OF
inducing the President to exert his powerful
influence in international politics in favor OF
Norway, now struggling for recognition as an
independent nation. On the other hand some
Swedish meetings have been held for the pur-
pose of lending encouragement and support to
King Oscar Resolutions have been adopted
on both sides. though the most striking features
have been the invariable absence Of Senator
Nelson and Governor Johnson. The continued
failure of these men to take part in meetings
OF such vital interest to their constituents and
countrymen has been widely commented upon.
FAdtHSSl ellOFlS nave OeSn Indue 10 lIluuCe tIeiA
to ally themselves with the factions which they
represent respectively, but without avail. The
most pressing invitations have thus far met
with the nvaria BILE replies that Senator Nelson
has gone fishing, no one seems to know where
and that Governor Johnson is suffering from an
aggravated attack Of hay fever.
The Norwegians of Minnesota are particularly
anxious to have their side of the controversy
presented TO the President by some recognized
could clearly and accurately set forth the
reasons which actuate his fellow cOuntrymen
here and abroad and they appreciate. move
over that whatever might be accomplished in
this way their memorials TO the President
bound 20 be futile without the support Of the
senior Senator from their State especially if he
happens to be q Norwegian. They. 1t is re-
ported. are convinced that the President would
welcome some expression Of opinion and a fair
presentation of the situation from some leading
Scandinavian, and they we'll know that such a
presentation would do more than can possibly be
accomplished by means of the numerous resolu-
tions they have adopted.
The resolutions far framed generally recite
that under a consular system which provides that
only Swedes shall represent both countries Nor
way must inevitably suffer. They further set forth
that Sweden is levying undue tribute on the
Norwegian fishermen and conclude with pres
entatiOn of the situation in such light as to
convey the idea that the autonomous character
Of the Norwegian government makes 1t entirely
feasible for Norway now TO take that final step
which will accomplish the complete independ~
ence for which her people have been striving
for hundred years. Recent reports 10 the
effect that Germany is flirting with Sweden
have added to the intensity with which the
Norwegians hope for recognition from the
United States
The international situation is a decidedly In
teresting one, but the political situation In the
Northwest, and particularly In Minnesota. is
even more There is no telling how 1t will
WORK out II Is reported here, trustworthy
authority that the hope of the Scandinavians
that their respective sides may be presented to
the President by prominent men of their own
nationalism ls unlikely to be gratifed The fish
ing season in Minnesota it Is said, does not close
until October, and hay fever is such perti-
nacious malady that II rarely yields to the
treatment before the arrival Of black frosts.