The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-04-03
NORWAY.

nent farmer IN East rotten, recently
celebrated the Tooth anniversary Of
his birthday by giving a notable feast
in honor of the occasion. His guests
were all astounded at the vigor and
cheerfulness of the venerable man.
Not only his body. but also his mind
is still strong and alert. The story
Of his life is an interesting one, and
he may we'll be regarded as one Of the
remarkable men Of his country.
The Lovland cabinet has fallen at
ter only few brief months of exist
ence. BY very narrow margin the
storthing gave a vote of lack of con-
fidence in the administration March
Is. and as a consequence the cabinet
ministers had to hand in their resig-
nations. The overthrow is due to a
coaiticn of the party OF the Left and
the socialists. and the new cabinet
will be made up Of Left men and one
or more socialists. Gunnar Knudsen,
the minister of state. will be the new
premier. He is splendid man, of
sturdy qualities. and is loved by the
peasantry, having been a farmer him
self. In future issue shall tell
more about him.
AS will tie remembered. l stated
some two months or more ago that
the Radicals Of the storthing, the
party of the Left, would be strong
enough to overthrow the administra-
ton. if they could form a coalition
with the socialists, but such COIL
tingency seemed at that time highly
improbable. However, it seems that
the opposition to the cabinet grew
stronger and stronger, making it east
err to effect hostile combination.
The downfall of Lovland will be
generally regretted in America by
most Observation-Disclosures, who
learned to love and admire him be-
cause of his noble and exceptionally
able work in the crisis of 1905.
A monument to the memory Of Col.
George Stang was recently unveiled
at Holmenlsol, where the famous ski
tournaments take place. The event
took place only few months after
Col. Strang's death, which occurred
Sept. II, 1907 S. c. Hammer gives
the following sketch of this remarka-
BILE man, who was one of the conspic-
uous figures in the stirring times of
1905:
George Strang, who was born in
1858, Joined the Liberal party at an
early age, imbued as he was with the
idea that the union between Norway
and Sweden was a constant chain on
Norway's liberty of action. He soon
saw his ideal in free and independ-
ent Norway, clear of all union letters,
strong in it's self-reliance, and he firm
ly believed that that ideal, II circum-
stances should necessitate it, was not
unworthy to be fought for.
"After splendid military career
little known to the public he, in No
yember, 1909, accepted the portfolio
as minister Of the defense in Mr..
Stems second administration. Here
he at once attracted general notice,
and for nearly three years he was the
most conspicuous member Of that gov
eminent. During these years the last
union negotiations were opened be-
tween Norway and Sweden. but Mr..
Strang. who clearly anticipated the
final issue if these negotiations failed,
in the meantime formed his scheme
of the frontier fortresses, and succeed
ed in carrying it through Ill spite Of
all opposition by his fndomitable en-
ergy and perseverance.
When in 1905 Mr.. Nicholson form
ed his administration, Mir. Strang,
who, after the fall of the Liberal gov
eminent in 1903. had been appointed
commander Of the fortress of Oscars
berg. at the entrance to Christiania
Ian hour and half out in the fjord) ),
was not appointed minister of the de-
fence. most likely because it would
then have been impossible to secure
the assistance of the Conservatives.
The result was inevitable. When, af-
ter June 7, the consequences should
be taken OF the decision OF that fam
Gus day, the ranks commenced to
waver in front of the Swedish demand
for the demolition Of the frontier fort
resses. In this connection, it is suf-
ficient to state that the submission of
the Norwegian storthing to the Swed-
ish claims nearly nearly broke the
heart Of the stout colonel. He passed
through crisis then, which we, his
friends, followed with painful anxiety
said the friend who yesterday unveil-
ed his bauta. Two years after he
passed away. leaving the memord Of
spotless character. a mighty energy,
a splendid courage"
o. NJ. A. Thorvik has been for So
consecutive years an active teacher
in the public schools Of Norway, AZ
years of that period at Larvik. Al
though 70 years old. he still remains
ut his post and works with more vim
~nl nukh,,oioonr <ha< ,nanv ~yo,,u uo,.