Morris tribune., 1908-09-26
NORWAY.
Christiania.

Says an exchange, regarding the
much talked of Scandinavian-Ameri-
can steamship line:
1T is several weeks since a cable
gram was sent throughout the world,
stating that the organization of a
Observation-Disclosures steamship line
was progressing successfully. A more
careful study of the situation reveals
the fact that this movement is meet
ing with such general and deter
mined opposition in Sweden and Nor
way that the promoters may have to
abandon the plan. The movement was
started by Copenhagen capitalists
who are interested in the United
Steamship company. The Swedes and
NorWegians feel that If the proposed
Scandinavian line were established it
would be controlled by the Danes, and
Sweden and Norway would become
mere feeders to Danish concern.
The movement has not only met with
opposition, it has aroused the Swedish
and Norwegian shipowners to the
realization of the fact that the United
Steamship company is already doing
so much business in the northern pen
insular that it would be worth while
for them to make an extra effort to
regain some of that trade. Therefore,
instead of supporting the Danish pro-
motors, hundreds Of energetic Swe-
dish and Norwegian shippers are COM
pairing notes and devising plans for
separate Swedish-American line and a
separate .Norwegian-American line. A
realization of this plan would result
in three independent steamship lines
between Scandinavia and America.
To avoid destructive competition
between the three it is proposed to
cooperate to certain extent. The
main feature OF the cooperation
would be to have the steamers of the
different lines run alternately so as
to devide the mail and express traffic.
One of the strongest arguments
against a united line is that old
steamers would be bought in Germany
and England, painted and given Swe-
dish and Norwegian names, and
finally used as a means of gripping
the existing lines in Sweden and Nor
way and preventing those countries
from establishing lines to America.
The Norwegians feel that they are
able to support line of their own,
and as to competition they point to
an experience which they had a few
years ago. A German line commenced
to slash the rates to continental Eu-
rope in regular Standard Oil fashion
in order to throttle the much weaker
Norwegian lines. The Norwegian ship
owners explained the situation to the
Norwegians exporters and told them
that If they took advantage of the
German rates the Norwegian lines
would have to go out of business.
With a few exceptions the Norwegian
exporters paid the usual rates to the
Norwegian lines. which were thus
saved. and the efforts of the Germans
to destroy the Norwegian lines re-
suited in complete failure. AS to
Sweden there is no doubt but that the
large and very important export
trade would support well equipped
and well managed steamship line to
America"
The Norwegian government pro-
poses to keep pretty good control OF
its king, if we are to judge by some
Of the recent changes of the constitu-
ton. The Norwegian constitution pro-
vides that the kings oath upon ascend
ing the throne should close with the
words, $50 help me God and this
sacred word The storthing has
changed these words to read instead:
$50 help me God Almighty and ALI
knowing" Other amendments to the
constitution provide that the king
shall lose his crown if he stays out
side Of the country for more than six
months at one time, and that he shall
accept no other crown unless the
storthing permits him to do so by
two-thirds majority.
Queen Alexandria of England, and
Princess Victoria are expected to
spend about three weeks in Christianfa
in the near future as guests of Queen
Maud. This will be the second time
that the British queen will pay a visit
to Norway this summer.
Consul Thames contemplates the
erection of a large hotel near Svorkmo,
which is the end of the new electric
line. which was completed to that
point some time ago.