Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-08-03
KING HAAKON'S
18th BIRTHDAY
Gala Day In the Kingdom
Shows His Strong
Popularity

CHRISTIANIA, Aug. 3.-Christiania
was aglow with flags and bunting to-
day and there was much popular re-
joicing over the 35th anniversary OF
the birth of King Haakon. Addresses
or congratulation were received from
cities and towns throughout Norway
and to these were added the felicitar
lions of all the sovereigns of Europe.
The greetings of the latter we're con-
veyed to the royal palace by the diplo-
matte representatives, who were re-
ceived in person by the king.
The popular festivities in honor of
the kings birthday afford but another
proof of. the strong hold he has secur-
ed on the affections Of his subjects.
The sincere regard Of the Norwegians
for their king and queen is all the
more remarkable since it is not yet two
years that the young Danish prince
and his English princess were invited
to assume the sovereignty. In the
modern history of Europe no parallel
is to be found. King Haakon's uncle,
Prince George of Denmark, accepted
the throne of Greece and has occupied
1T nearly As years. Yet the people of
greece entertain no real affection for
him. And the same may be said Of the
German princes who have become the
rulers of Roumania and Bulgaria. The
case of King Haakon. in fact, affords
the only example of an alien ruler who
has been accepted with genuine loyal
ty and taken into the hearts of his new
subjects.
1t is but natural that the strong
characteristics of King Haakon should
win the attachment Of his people, And
the winning personality of Queen
Maud and the charm of the little
Prince Olaf, heir to the throne, have
further endeared the royal couple to
the Norwegian people.
But there is one trait possessed by
the king that, perhaps more than any
other has pleased the Norwegians. This
is his love for the sea. Like the famed
Morse kings Of old, King Haakon is a
| veritable son of the sea.
AS child he was set apart for a
| naval career. To this end he was
educated by his father until he was IA
years old, when he passed the exami-.
nations for admission into the Danish
naval academy. There he spent the
regulat on four years, faring Just "a
his comrades of nonroyal blood Jared,
no better no worse.
On leaving the academy he began
his active career as a. midshipman
That was in, 1890 In the years that
followed he slowly mounted to the
grade Of captain, attaining that rank
only year or so before he was called
to the throne of Norway When at sea
he was hard WORKER and he demand
ed hard work from all under him. Yet
he was we'll liked by his officers, and
the common sailors were known to
hold him in RICH regard.
To this day his favorite associates
are men of the navy, and much of his
time is spent in the study of naval
problems On returning from a visit
to Copenhagen or sojourn in Eng
land, Queen Maud's home, his first
task Is to call in some of the high off,
'cials of the Norwegian navy and have
long talks with them. Given his way
his one subject of conversation is al
ways the sea, and the things that ap-
pertain thereto. a.,.
And, as before stated. this love for
the sea pleases the Norwegians i'm
mensely, for the kings who have made
their history have been men of the
sea, largely.