The Mankato free press., 1910-12-16
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J. NORWAY. )
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The unexpected has happened in
Norway once more. A temperance
speaker and agltator went up to the
royal palace the other day, sought an
audience with King Haakon and got
1t. After Mr.. Gunderson, for that was
his name. came into the presence of
the king he started to admonish his
majesty in regard to drinking liquor
and requested him to become a total
abstainer. The king politely answered
that he never believed In getting in.
toxicated and had to his own knowl-
edge never been in such condition,
yet he drew the line at becoming an
out and out Good Templar. Mr. Gun
derson came away feeling, perhaps,
that he had missed his mark 1t is O
well known fact, however, that both
the king and queen of Norway, while
not total abstainers, use spirituous
viands with exceeding temperatures
and good grace. Gunderson has. since
Offering the king this piece of advice,
been very much talked Of parsonage
In Norway and his desire to get lot
of free advertising has certainly been
gratified.
According to the Kristiania Han
delsblad Norway is approaching better
times, economically speaking. AT the
annual business mems banquet, which
was held in Christiania on the even
ing of Nov. II and which was attend
ed by the leading merchants of the
city, there were indications that the
business men are exceedingly hopeful
for the coming year. Judging from
the enthusiastic tone of all the ad-
dresses on that occasion new era of
economic progress has struck the
country and not for many years has
the money situation been as healthy
as at present. The statsminister, who
was present and delivered lengthy
address, stated that there would be a
surplus of 100000 crowns in the
government budget for this year and
that reports from all sections of the
country indicated healthier labor and
business conditions. s.
In Norway they are not so willing
to accept as fact the claim that
Peary has discovered the North pole.
Among those who are unwilling TO
take any stock in Mr.. Peary's claims
is Professor Gale, who contends that
the statements made by various ESki-
mos are not necessarily reliable. He
no hnt aft hnr nr
Cook has discovered the pole and that
il il is 20 be discovered at all that
Roald Amundsen has the best show.
Norway has for many years been a
great maritime power and, for small
nation. it may be said that her mer-
chant fleet is the largest in the world
AS il is Norway has the third largest
merchant fleet of any country in the
world. The total receipts of the Nor
wegian steamers engaged in the for,
eign freight traffic were 100000
for the year 1908. Christiania was at
the head OF the cities with Onefourth
of the total amount
number OF prominent men have
started movement. the aim of which
is the circulation OF n petition to raise
10000 crowns for the purpose of pur-
chasing the estate on which Bjornson
was born. The Intention is also 10
secure as much of Bjornson's furni.
tnre as is possible and place 1t in the
old "prestgaard." where the country's
greatest nan first saw the light OF
day
Among those who have just re-
turned from an extensive whaling eX.
petition in Greenland waters is Cap.
tain Otto Sverdrup of Fran" fame.
The captain has suffered many hard
ships and has not done SO well as he
expected on this last trip. He has
made many trips into the Far North.
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