Willmar tribune., 1909-07-07
In the scandinavian North
Gleaninds Of Important News Of Norway, Sweden
and Denmark, with Occasional Comments,
SWEDEN.
By MARTIN W. oDLANp.

SWEDEN.
Emil Hillberg, one Of Stockholm's
noted actors, has opened a dramatic
school in the city. This Is a new
venture but one that promises to be
successful, as the opportunities for
dramatic training are not very numer-
Gus in this country.
The strike of the carpenters of Swe.
den has wrought untold havoc to the
building industry of the country.
Over 1000 men are out and the loss
in wages during the past few weeks
has been immense, and cannot but
hamper the progress Of the country
for some time to come. Even If there
be a slight increase in wages in the
end, it cannot make up for the great
loss that has already occurred.
Preparations for the great Sangar.
fest in Stockholm, July 1913, indicate
that 1t will be one Of the most notable
OF recent years. II not the greatest
ever held in the country. There are
to be over $500 singers present from
all parts Of the country as well as
many visitors from other countries.
The event is attracting much atten-
tion, and it is safe to say that Stock
holm will be filled to overhowing dur
ing the week of the festival.
Visitors returning from the Scandi-
navian countries bring back news Of
the great progress Of these countries
the past Is years. Particularly in
manufacturing is the development no.
ticed. There has been great develop
ment Of the immense water power of
both Sweden and Norway, and this
has resulted in cheap electricity and
a general growth Of manufacturing.
The result is that the country indus
trtally Is far in advance of what it
was few years ago.
i, The agitation for the return of Swe.
dish-Americans to the home country
continues in spite Of the Indifferent
success Of the past two years. work.
Literature has been distributed in
every section of the country, national
ist societies have been organized.
those desiring homes Of their own
have been helped to acquire them.
but the emigration to America con-
tinues. In fact, during the first quar-
ter of the year it has been close to
three times as heavy as last year.
Industrial conditions due to the flnan.
cial crisis of a year ago have more
than Offset any work the anti-emigra.
tionists have been able to do.
Nowadays there is not much criti-
cism of the Swedish-American. at
least not as to language. Only a few
years ago the Swedish people would
be so put out by the kind Of Swedish
the visitors spoke that at times criti-
cfsm would greatly mar the visit
home. Now, what IL the visitors do
mix in little English now and then?
That passes by unnoticed. In fact,
many of the Swedes, particularly of
the younger generation, are able to
talk little English themselves. The
result is that the Swedish-American
finds himself greeted more cordially
than some years ago, even though his
Swedish at times may be sadly in
need Of repairs.
Sweden is noted for it's proficiency
In music and has some of the finest
brass bands in the world. For this
reason it seems strange to so often see
German or other foreign bands fur
nishing the music at some of the most
popular summer resorts. The reason
for this is not far to seek. Resort
proprietors find that they can secure
foreign bands for the season consider
ably cheaper than they can their own
home bands-just as Europeans can
buy American farm implements or
sewing machines cheaper than can
the people who make them. AS there
is no tariff on importing musical or
ganizations, foreign bands will con.
tinue to be in evidence here as long
as they can be secured so much
cheaper than the home talent.
Midsummer festivals are to be held
in all parts of the country this year.
The late spring has given away to
beautiful summer and everybody feels
unusually interested in outdoor fes.
tivities. The tourist season has also
opened up strong, and many visitors
from Europe and America will cele-
brate this festive occasion in Sweden.
The tourist traffic has greatly in
creased in this country of late years,
owing to more extensive advertising
of the charms of the country. The
Swedes now realize the value of this
traffic to them, and are putting them.
selves out to make it pleasant for vis-
itors. Sweden has many points of
scenic interest and it is only a matter
of making them known and visitors
will come. The tourist business is yet
in its infancy in this country, but
from now on it will continue to grow.
The National Museum at Stockholm
has recently received fine collection