The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-14

RARE DIPLOMACY SAVED BITTER
FIGHT OF sCANDINAvIANs.
Erling Bjornson Talks Interestingly of
Conditions Immediately Following
Separation Of Norway and Sweden
Situation, for Time, Was Intensely
Dramatic - Freedom of America
Amazes.

AS the son or one OF the greaL men
of Europe Erin Bjornson is eagerly
sought by interviewers since his arrival
in New York. The Times gave him
almost half column in which to air
his impressions and opinions. Having
been in close touch with the recent de-
velopments on the Scandinavian PENN
sula, his description of the excitement
attending division of the empire is par
ticularly interesting, and more graphic
than the dispatches. =
{ "When the revolt did come, it came
in earnest,' said Mr.. Bjornson. elbow
earnestly was shown by the fact that
upward of $4,000 Norwegian troops,
fully armed and provisioned for pro-
.tracted campaign, were massed on the
border. Sweden was not idle, either,
for she threw upward of 100000 men
into the breach, and never was war so
narrowly averted as when England,
Germany and the United States inter
vened automatically.
81 do not think it is generally known
that several thousand resident Norwe-
gians in this country had made all prep
arations to return to Norway and
strengthen our hands in case of war.
In that respect the rupture was very
beneficial to the Norwegian peoples at
home and abroad. It brought them
closer together by reminding the stay
always that there was mother coun-
try to which they owed something.
. ttHundreds and hundreds Of letters
arrived from Norwegians over here
pledging their support in case of war
At the same time, none of the writers
meant to forego his privilege as an
American citizen. Had even thousands
of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS returned to
Norway, very few of them but would
have returned to the states and have
fought just as yaliantly for their adopt
!, ed country in case Of need. So Nor
way has a very warm place in it's heart
for the great western republic.
HWhy, in view Of your national dem
ocratic convictions, did you choose tx
remain a kingdom9' was asked.
"Ah,' replied Mr.. Bjornson, with {
decided Gallo shrug, but Norway il
kingdom in name only, only for diplo
matte purposes, you understand W,
had a popular ballot on the subject, a:
was advertised to the world, and 81
per cent Of the people voted in favo
Of kingdom, with the understanding
that Prince Charles of Denmark was t,
be the king. 1885,. .-.
''And why did we choose a kin.
rather than a PRESIDENT? As matte
of simple diplomatic convenience
France is the only republic Of majo
consequence in Europe, and we .woul'
have unnecessarily antagonized Oh
neighbors by establishing an out-and
out republic.
CHOW that you have been here lon
enough to look about, do you note an
distinguishing differences betwee
American and European women7" wa
ventured.
tThere is so much difference betwee
them,' he slowly replied: ftthat a
Ibsen would probably be impossible i
America. You Americans are too youns
too virile, too optimistic, to give Dirt
to such dramas as Ibsen has written.
"One point of difference betwee
American and Norwegian women is,
he added, "the inherent ightheartet
ress of the former and the seriousness
of the latter. America does not tax
its women seriously, or rather, does NJ
treat them seriously. American wome
seem to be playmates rather than mate
I fancy they are more superficial
fonder. of shows, fonder of open admir-
tion. For example, your women al
great novel readers. They subscribe
and support these forms of artistic e.
preston that appeal to their romant
natures-heart art rather than head al
"But, my, my! Such abundant e
ergy and freedom! It is amazing to OF
/
first time. I have been in many cou
tries, but none Of them have SUI
women as one sees in this city, al
hoo 'of in this oo,,ntry - ...f