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

TO the Editor Of The Journal * .
At this time when Norway and her king
occupy so much Of the worlds attention
perhaps I may be allowed space for a
few 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 the Norwegians, and your edi-
torial on the same in yesterdays issue
Of the paper. .",-..,.s =E##t :
7 believe have read the greater part
Of all that has been published In the
leading papers and magazines Of Norway
regarding the now regime since King
Haakon landed on Norwegian soil last
fall. but nowhere have I found any in
territorial exhibition of disrespect, nor. re-
port thereof from any source. On the
Hcontrary the utmost loyalty has been
shown him on every occasion, the people
in every station, Of life manifesting
pride and devotion to their new ruler
which is almost childish Neither have
seen, even in the most radical republican
papers Of Norway, any display of that
disrespect to which the Berlin dispatch
alludes. 1t is true that the Norwegians
are democratic, the king has shown a
democratic spirit, and. If the report is
true. it was his own request when nego
tiations 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-
4 bered that the Norwegians are "tickled
to death" at having at last 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 its
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 1t appear that
there is too much cordially and too lit
tie respect. That King Haakon, who has
shown himself to be a 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 beer
! manufactured or inspired by certain par.
ties who are dissatisfied with the turn so1
affairs last year and whose dissatisfaction
naturally would be intensified by the re
cent browning Of King Haakon.
| The story Of Bjornson addressing Klns
TIaakon as mr.. King is, Of course, a.
true as the other story going the rounds
I of the Norwegian papers last winter, tina
: on one occasion Mr.. Bjornson very kindl.
, and condescendinglv addressed him a.
, 'young man. and told him that he mus
correct his pronunciation, the king speak
. ing with Danish accent.
4 When Premier Nicholson welcomed
:, King Haakon on board the Norwegia1
man-of-war outside the harbor Of Chris
y tian1a, he addressed him as Herr
s konge," which does not mean "Ml
a King" as has been Incorrectly inter
= preted in English, but my lord king.
This was the form used by the Norseme
of the middle ages in addressing the]
= king and is perhaps just as respectfl
= and fully as proper as to say ''Your maj
- esty.'' In like manner the French use
e to address their king as "seignor roi" an
It the Spaniards say "senor rev." expires
IS sions equivalent in meaning to the Nors
"Herre Konge." IN. Flaten.