The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-01-09
in THE SCANDINAVIAN NORTH
GLeanings of Important Neus of Norway, SUeden
and Denmark, with Occasional Comments.
BY MARTIN W. oDLAND.
NORWAY.
BY r ". oDLAND.

AS in the northwest of the United
States, the snowfall has been light in
Norway so far. The fall was unusual
ly damp and dreary.
Olaf Hanson, a leading COMIC actor,
has been appointed director of the
Bergen theater. This position was
once held by Bjornstjerne Biornson.
A question Of considerable inter-
est at Christiania is, Who shall sue
coed Bjorn Bjornson as director of the
National theater? Among those con-
sidered Is Siguard Ibsen, son of the
great dramatist, and prominent In the
diplomatic service, but he has declared
that under no circumstances would
he accept the position.
The press of Christiania speaks of
the holiday trade in that city and
throughout the country in general as
having been very satisfactory, being
larger than it was last year. 1t APP
pears from this that, in spite of the
poor harvests, there was more money
among the people during the holiday
season this year than last, and that
there is prosperity in the land is fur
Their shown by the willingness Of the
banks and merchants to give credit.
The panic was felt in Norway, as
well as in most of the other countries,
but it was of shorter duration there
than in Sweden and Denmark.
Vigeland, the prominent sculptor,
to be set up in the Eidsvolds Plads,
between the storthing building and
the national theater. The work,
which will be an elaborate group of
a~llegorical figures, will cost about
STE, 900, and, as is confidently expect
ed, will be n of the most interest
ing sights of the city. The expense OF
erecting the fountain is chiefly borne
by the city, but lovers of art will con-
tribute, a prominent Swede having Of
fered $4,000 crowns.
"Vandringsmand," win be the best
seller of the season in Christiania
book stores this winter. The authors
of Norway have made 1t a rule. to issue
new works in the autumn, SO as to
have them well advertised for the
holiday trade, Ibsen's plays being gen.
orally issued at that time. In spite
of the fact that Ibsen is dead and
Bjornson IN Jonas Lie too old to
write as actively as younger men,
there was a goodly output Of new
books for the holiday trade, and the
sale has been brisk.
Owe GUIDE, the new minister from
Norway to the United States, is a man
of long experience In the diplomatic
service. Born in 1853, he was gradu-
ated from the law department of the
University of Christiania in 1876 and
was appointed to the Norwegian lega-
ton in Paris, where he served a
couple of years. Then he took a posi-
ton in the department of foreign af-
fairs at Stockholm; in 1884 he became
secretary of the legation at Berlin,
and in 1891 was transferred to Lon
don. His next promotion came when
he was made minister to Spain, a po-
sition he held till 1902, when he was
appointed minister 70 Copenhagen.
When the storthing declared the union
between Norway and Sweden dissoiv-
ed, Mr.. GUIDE placed his services at
the disposal of his mother country,
but was not appointed to any position
In the public service till now, when he
is selected to fill the place Of the la
mented Christian Hauge. That he
will prove a worthy successor of that
able diplomat is confidently believed
by all who know him.
According to government statistics,
recently published. there were 1887
vessels in the merchant marine of Nor
way at the close of the year 1905. The
total ton capacity of these was 1,4S2,-
094. There were 1854 steamships
and $3.50 sailships.
At the end of 1906 the number of
vessels in the merchant marine had
fallen to 1870, but the aggregate tom
mage was greater, namely, 1,547, $50.
The number of steamers was 1874,
with a tonnage of 1900.
From this it appears that while the
total number Of vessels in the marine
has decreased a little, the aggregate
tonnage has increased, due to the in
crease in the number Of steamships,
which have a larger ton capacity than
the sailships, Of course. They also
make much faster time and hence in
crease the carrying power of the ma
rine.
For a small country. Norway has a
remarkably large merchant marine
and Norwegian sailors are known the
world over as most efficient and trust
worthy.