The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1906-12-06
NORWAY.
ChriStiana.

ChrtStiana.
W. B. Chamberlain says regarding
England's move for the naturalization
of Norway: "a very interesting re-
port comes from London to the effect
that at the request Of Norway, Eng
land has set on foot a movement for
the signature of a treaty between her.
self, Russia, Germany and France.
guaranteeing the integrity of the
Scandinavian peninsula, but neither
Germany nor Russia ever assented
formally to it's provisions. And the
Norwegian government fears that the
separation from Sweden may abrogate
whatever rights it had under that
treaty. At the time of the union
crisis, one Of the chief arguments
urged by Sweden against separation
was that it would increase the dan
ger of Russian aggression. Count
Gylden Stolpe, the Swedish foreign
minister, asserted with great emphasis
at the Karlstad meeting that to divide
the dual kingdom meant to invite the
Russians to seize enough Of the north
ern part of Norway to give her an ice-
free Atlantic port. At any rate Nor
way declined to give heed to these ar
gllments and pursued the policy which
resulted finally at Karlstad in separa-
ton. The election Of a king was es-
pecially pleasing to the German en-
peror, who believes even at this day
Of the world in the divine right Of
kings, and who was wont every sum-
mer to visit the fjords Of Norway in
his yacht. 1t was pleasing to England
too, for the limited monarchy proposed
closely resembled the English form Of
government. Moreover it enabled the
storthing to elect a king whose queen
is the daughter Of King Edward, and
thus secure as the friend of Norway
the foremost royal diplomat of Europe.
With Germany and England her
friends Norway has little to fear. Nor
has Sweden. While the dispatches do
not make it clear what position Swe
den is to have in the proposed treaty
Of Decentralization, it seems probable that
the four great powers will agree to
place both the Scandinavian kingdoms
on the same basis with Belgium and
Switzerland. so far as neutrality is
concerned. 1t is also probable that the
status of Sweden under the Anglo
French treaty Of 1885, above referred
to, has not been altered. But King
Oscars advisers are likely to secure
signatures of Germany and Russia to
such a treaty. When the danger Of
foreign aggression has been quite BAN
iShed, a great obstacle to the recon-
Citation Of the brother peoples will have
been removed. Swedish resentment
because of the separation will die out
more quickly. The three Scandinavian
powers if guided by wise statesman
ship ought to be able one Of these days
to make a commercial and political al
lance that will be at once honora BILE
and profitable to EACH"
Raging snowstorms did not prevent
people of Christiania from extending
great and hearty reception to Cap
tain Roald Amundsen, the explorer,
both on his arrival and during his
progress through the streets Of the
capital on Nov. 81. The speech Of
welcome made by the mayor at the
dock when the captain came ashore
was vociferously applauded by the
crowd. In the evening banquet was
given Captain Amundsen, which was
attended by 600 persons. 1t takes
rank as one of the most brilliant din
ners ever given in the history of Nor
way. King Haakon telegraphed from
London expressing regret for the alb
sence of himself and his queen. All
the foreign ministers in Christiania
We're present at the banquet and made
speeches. United States Minister
Pierce in responding to a toast, as
sured the guest Of the evening that
he had the admiration Of Americans
Of every class and condition. He re-
called the fact that the Norwegians
were among the first to discover Amer
lea, 800 years ago, and rejOiced that
this daring race was still making
claims to the gratitude of the world
He placed a high estimate on the i'm
portance Of the addition which Cap
tain Amundsen had made to the sum
of human knowledge. Captain Amund-
sen replied in simple language, setting
forth that his primary aim had been
to bring honor to his fatherland
Geographical societies in many lands
have sent congratulations to Captain
Amundsen. Minister Of State Michel
sen on behalf of King Haakon, pinned
the grand cross of st. Olaf on the cap
tain, while the explorers comrades
were given the crosses Of the knights
Of the Order.