The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-03-25
. HRIsTIANIA, Norway, March o.

- HRISTIANIA, Norway, March g.
A The subject Of a closer connec-
49, ton and a better understanding
between the mother country and the
Norwegians in America, has once more
come to the front. Extracts from
Norwegian American papers have been
published by the local press, from which
it is seen that leading Americans or
Norwegian descent complain about the
manner in which the emigrated Nor
wegian is being treated'and looked upon
by their native land.
Not long ago a well-known Norwegian
wrote an article in one of the leading
Christiania papers, urging upon the
press of Norway the Importance OF
keeping the relation with the emigrated
Norwegians as cordial as possible. lie
also suggested that the Norwegian
papers should pay more attention to
news regarding their eountrymen IN
America. There is not the slightest
doubt that his views were shared by the
larger number of the Norwegian people,
among whom you no longer hardly can
find a single family, or may even say
a single person, who has not a relative,
or at least friend or acquaintance now
living in America.
3 When the population Of Norway on
the one side, and the number Of people
of Norwegian descent in America are
considered there certainly seems to be
every reason that close and most
friendly relation should exist between
the two. We all know-or at least
all, who have given the matter any
thought at all know-that this said rela-
tionship is not by far as perfect and
harmonious as it could be wished for.
While several suggestions have been
offered for Improvement, on both sides
of the ocean, nothing practical has yet
come Of it, at least not on this
side" --.
One Of the leading Christiania papers,
acting on the suggestion given, started
in with column of news each week
about countrymen in America. L dc
not doubt that the items were read with
much interest, but already after short
trial It seems as If that column con
tains American news more of genera
seharacter, and that was not exactly
what was meant by the above-men
toned gentleman who wrote on behalf
Of the cause, because there is no partic
u1ar reason to complain that them or
wegian press does not give a reason
able amount of American news OF tn
ordinary kind.
It would lead too far even to try t.
explain all the why's and wherefores Il
this connection, but 1t should, never
theless, be remembered that for year
the prevailing idea among the leadln
classes in Norway was that those VIII
emigrated were only farmers and da
laborers, in other words, classes no
worthy Of much consideration Whethe
thew STAYED at home or went abroad
Late wears have seen emigrants fro1
what Is known as s'the best families
the land'' and the view has been some
what changed Another thing is that
Is only of comparatively recent dat
that the people whose opinions cour
for anything in Norway, have take
trouble to investigate what the
countrvmen in the far west really hav
ACCOMPLISHED, and there is not today
man in Norway, whose opinion is wort
hearing. that. will not admit that the
have done very well in more than OF
sense Ae the time passes, also on tn
side, men will devote greater portlt
of their time ana SLuuleS W oniiSA''
themselves in regard to what the en-
grated Norwegian really has done :bo
for himself and for the mother eountr
as we'll as for the country which HI
become his new home.
The native Of Norway may find b
reception when on a visit to 1.-THE o
country to be something differe
from what he had pictured and hop
for when he left his American HON
he may not find the sympathy, apr
citation or even hospitality, which
thought was due him, but this does !
no means apply to Norway only. "A
proach an American, born almost an
where in Europe, on the question a
Won are pretty sure to learn that his
servations on his return to his natl
land were not much different from tn
of Nowegian-born returning to NJ
way. and if you question him as to t
regard his fatherland has for Its OF
grated children you will be sure to lea
that he is not much more satisfied
that respect than the average Amerlc
If Norwegian descent.