The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-06-23
WERE 0VERIURES
MADE TO RUSSIA?
STORY OF NORWAY's ACTION
THAT SOUNDS QUEER.
Writer in Brooklyn Paper Says Gear
Was Virtually Held Over Sweden as
a Cuba Norwegian Editor Says
Swedish People May Withdraw from
Aristocracy.

Norway and the Norwegian question
have given the feature writers fruit
full subject for various articles. The
newspapers and weeklies are already
filed with interesting matters pertain
ing to the Scandinavian countries, and
next it will be the monthlies and other
periodicals. Some of the writer's
know something of the subjects which
they pretend to discuss.
The Following interesting statements
by +. B. Stevenson in the Brooklyn
Eagle may be hard to prove:
The Norwegian discontents openly
sought the aid of Russia to free them
from the control Of Sweden. Prominent
men of Norway strongly advocated the
dissolution. Some of them even went to
such extremes as to jeopardize their
country with a Muscovite invasion in or
der to gain their end. Bjornstjerne
Bjornson, one of the greatest literary
characters and thinkers in Norway today.
was recently ready, even anxious, to
promise Russia the seaports she SO ear
nestly desired If she would extend her
aid to Norway against Sweden. DR..
Fridtjof Nansen of Norway, the famous
Arctic explorer, who complained that the
fiscal policy of Sweden had carried out a
high tariff system while Norway was
practically for free trade, which he says
has been inimical to the advancement of
Sweden by the methods of the consulate,
agreed with Sven Hedin, with whom he
has had many controversies on the sub
ject that separation was the only logical
solution of the difficulties.
Hedin, however, asserted that If Nor
way sought the aid of Russia, that coun-
try would surely demand as its compen-
sation several naval harbors in the north
ern territory, and he believed that such
Ultima ta1V
suit In further encroachments on the
coast. These entertainments, he said,
| were no concern Of Sweden, which would
leave Norway to, her fate. This view Of
the situation, however, is hardly a nat
! ural one. 1t would be suicidal on the part
| of Sweden to complacently permit such
an invasion. Russia in Finland was a
menace to Norway and Sweden combined,
and Russia In Norwegian territory would
be much greater menace to Norway and
Sweden separated.
A Norweaian's Opinion.
sigurd Folkestad, editor Of Nordiske
Blade writes of the disruption as follows:
The main reason why King Oscar was
| dethroned is that he represented arts
| tocratic Sweden against democratic Nor
way, and therefore was unable to carry
out the thoughts Of freedom, equality and
| sovereignty which are expressed in the
| constitution of Norway.
| The Swedish democratic people love
! Norway. Thousands of them have emil
grated to Norway, being some of its
most Industrious and democratic c1tizens;
and as many are working there from
time to time, the ideas Of freedom, self
possession and social-political better
ment spread thru them to every part of
+ Sweden. 1t is Norway's hope for Swe-
den that the Swedish aristocracy soon
may be out of power. In this wish the
great authors, the best politicians, the
liberal party and the masses of the dem
ocratic classes in Sweden unite with
Norway. -..'
Sweden is quickly approaching the day
when it's Industrious, intelligent people
will break the power by which the Swed-
ish aristocracy are now holding them un-
der an unworthy yoke. .-..- .----
/ And at last: Norway, the land Of the
! vikings, who nine hundred years ago dis
covered America, which they called ''Vin-
land''-Norway, the land Of the explorer
Fridtjof Nansen, the authors Ibsen ant
4 Bjornson, the musician Edv. Grieg, and Of
/ the hundreds of scientists who for the
last century have participated illustriously
1 in the European work of culture-tht
l fatherland of one Of the most Intelligent
and able elements of the United States
is too free and self respecting to be ruled
by a Swedish aristocracy.