The Princeton union., 1908-04-23
Recent Occurrences of Interest
in Sweden, Norway and
Denmark.
PLAYWRIGHT IN ROLE OF HERO
August Strindberg Passes Along the
Street just in Time to Save
Young Girl from Being
Burned to Death.
SWEDEN.
Stockholm.

Stockholm.
August Strindberg, the eminent
Swedish author and playwright, re-
Gently appeared in the role of a hero.
While a young girl named Hilda Nils
son at Karlavagen 36, was engaged in
preparing dinner in the kitchen on a
gasoline stove, her clothes caught fire
through the upsetting of cup of gaso-
line. She rushed out in the street,
where August Strindberg happened
along. He Immediately saw the criti-
cal condition in which she was sur
rounded and pulled off his big over
coat, which he threw over the "blaz-
ing girl. He succeeded in quench-
ing the flames and thus saved the
young woman's life. Imagine the
young wOman's gratitude when she
learned that her rescuer was none 9th
er than Sweden's leading author au1
dramatist.
A scientific expedition under the
auspices and protection of the Swedish
government will start for the north
polar regions during the latter part
of June. The torpedo boat ''Svensk-
sund" will accompany the expedition.
Professor Gerard Jacob de Geer, rec
tor Of the Stockholm high school, has
been appointed leader of the expedj-
ton. Among other prominent pa
Elephants Of the expedition is DR.. Sven
Adolf Gerhard Won Hofsten, the emil
nent zoologist, and DR.. Carl Wiman,
the geologist. The chief purport of
the expedition is geological, botanical
and geological research, as we'll as a
continued exploration of the polar
regions.
The Swedish papers report thai
there are at present many Swedish
Americans who are returning to the
homeland because they cannot procure
work in America. 1t is interesting to
notice how literally the Swedish
journals are spreading the news about
the country. 1t still remains a fact
that only a comparatively small num-
ber of Swedish-Americans remain in
the homeland. When they have Wis
tied ''the old home they return to
the land Of their adoption
DR.. P. P. Waldenstrom, we'll known
rs an evangelist and lecturer and also
known in America in connection with
The Yale jubilee, has presented to
King Gustaf a petition bearing 314,-
200 signatures, asking the govern
ment's sanction for religious study in
all the schools of Sweden. The pet;-
TONERS hold that character is the basis
Of all achievements and that nation
cannot have character unless sound
ethics are Systematically taught in the
public schools.
From st. Petersburg comes dis.
patch stating that Prince Wilheln,'s
atianced, the Grand Duchess Maria
Pavlovna, whose marriage to the
Swedish prince will be solemnized at
Tzarsko Selo palace May 3, will re-
ceive from the royal house of Russia
bridal gift Of $5OO,OOO. Compared
with other duchesses of the European
royalty Duchess Pavlovna's fortune is
considered small.
Over two thousand Stockholm school
children have, owing to their physical
defects, been excused from the regu-
lar course in gymnastics. A special
form of exercise is provided for them
and everything is being done by the
school authorities to aid them in de-
veloping their physical constitutions
Ihey are given so-called ''sick gym
nastlcs'' instead of the regular drills.
The receipts of the private railways
of Sweden for the year 1907 were
about $17,OO0,OOO, which was S1,1GO,-
600 in excess of the receipts for the
previous year: The total mileage was
$3.50, or twice that of the state rail-
ways. But the state railways are 50
favorably located that there is prac-
tically no difference between the re-
ceipts Of the two systems.
Owing to the strained labor condi-
tfons in Germany all Swedish labor
ing men have. been warned from 60
ing there at present. A great many
Swedish laboring men who cannot re-.
ceive work at home make It q poin:
to go to Germany every season ta
procure seasons work, but now la
Dor conditions are as bad in Germany
as they are in Sweden.
Sweden believes in maintaining
good roads, and to tell the truth the
roads all over the country are excel
lent. There are few countries who
have any better roads than Sweden
has and this year the government has
distributed $265,OOO for the improve
ment Of wagon roads in: fifty-two diff
ferent localities.
Ihe Royal Society Of Arts has in
Vlted the prominent Swedish etcher,
Axel Tallberg, to give series Of lee
lures before that society in the nea"
future. Mr.. Tallberg lectured in Ber-
lin last year.
The king and queen of Greece and
other members of the royal house Of
Greece will attend the wedding Of