The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-07-06
WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK
Haakon and His People.


At this time when Norway and her king
occupy so much Of the worlds attention,
perhaps ] may be allowed space for a
rev lines IN, reference to an article in
last Sundays Journal, supposed to have
come from Berlin, stating that King Haa-
kon was dissatisfied with his position on
account Of the lack of respect shown
him by thu NorWegians, and your edi-
torial on the same in yesterdays issue
Of the paper. ~" "a
l believe have read the greater part
or all that has been published in the
leading papers and magazines Of Norway
regarding the new regime since King
Haakon landed on Norwegian soil last
fall, but nowhere have I found any in
tentlonal exhibition of dsrespect, nor re-
port thereof from any source. On the
contrary the utmost loyalty has been
shown him on every occasion, the people
In every station Of life manifesting a
pride and devotion to their new ruler
which Is almost childish. Neither have I
seen, even in the most radical republican
papers of Norway, any display of that
dlsrespect to which the Berlin dispatch
alludes It is true that the Norwegians
are democratic. the king has shown a
democratic spirit, and If the report is
true, 1t was his own request when nego-
tlatlons for his acceptance of the, crown
were In progress, that he should be al
lowed to live among his people with as
little OF the royal show and pageantry
as possible. Besides it must be remem-
bered that the Norwegians are "tickled
70 death at having at last a king all
their own one whom they do not have
to share with any other people, and a.
royal family which is not alien, but will
Identify itself with the nation and It's
interests. It might be expected that in
the exuberance Of joy at having secured
all the insignia of complete and separate
national Independence, they would be-
come so demonstrative In their attentions
to the one who in his person represents
these blessings as to make it appear that
there Is too much cordiality and too lit
tie respect That King Haakon, who has
shown himself to be man of noble
character and good common sense, should
manifest any irritation on this account
Is not credible. That article from Ber-
lin bears the mark rather of having been
manufactured or inspired by certain par
ties who are dissatisfied with the turn of,
affairs last year and whose dissatisfaction
naturally would be intensified by the re-
cent browning Of King Eaakon. .
l. The story Of Bjornson addressing King
Haakon as Mr.. King" is, Of course, as
true as the other story going the rounds
or the Norwegian papers last winter, that
on one occasion Mr.. Bjornson very kindly
and condescendingly addressed him as
young man" and told him that he must
correct his pronunciation, the king speak
ing with a Danish accent
When Premier Nicholson welcomed
King Haakon on board the Norwegian
man -of-war outside the harbor Of Chris
tian1a he addressed him as "Herre
konge,' which does not mean "Mr.
King as has been incorrectly inter-
prete'd in English, but my lord king
This was the form used by the Norsemen
of the middle ages in addressing their
king. and is perhaps just as respectful
and fully as proper as to say "Your maj
esty." In like manner the French used
to address their king as "seignor roi" and
the Spaniards say "senor rev." express
sions equivalent in meaning to the Morse
HERE Konge." IN. FIaten. 81,