Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-05-22

AGAINST The EVIL TRAFFIC
Norway Interested in War on the
White Slave Trade.
CHAPERoNE FOR YOUNG GIRLS
king Appears as Defendant In Court
at StOckhOlm-BiR Debt Ia
the Allegation set
Forth.
RY ERIC GRrNnMARK.

COPENHAGEN, May 2l--(Specal Dis
patch to The BoeD--Norway is taking a
very deep interest in tho crusade against
the white slave traffic. King Haakon at
the suggestion OF the queen. has made
study of the situation as it effects Norway,
and, at his suggestion, 1 understand the
minister of religion has issued a circular
to the clergy. requesting that young girls
preparing for their first communion, should
also be instructed respecting the dangers
of taking situation in foreign countries
without previous inquiry"
Not only this, but at the kings request,
tho Scandinavian-American line has de-
cided to place upon its vessels reliable
woman whose duty it will be to look after
all young girls and women travelling in the
ship. This Is most excellent innovation,
and one which canuot fail to be productive
of the happiest results. The dangers OF the
young Immigrant girl arc many, while at
sea.
understand that the action of Norway
will be followed by similar action on the
part of both Denmark and Sweden.
1t is not often that king appears as
defendant in court, but this somewhat
novel thing has happened in Stockholm.
Some time ago, told something about the
action brought by former County Councillor
Johannson against the royal family.
The case was brought before the high
court and still is in progress. The king APP
pears by council and the proceedings at
tract an audience which crowds the court
room.
Johannson is former county councillor.
The plaintiff asserts that the royal family
are indebted to him in the sum of 100000
kronen, or $l,65O000 He is the heir of the
late Madame Helga de | Brche, and he
alleges that some letters which King Oscar
], borrowed from her prove that she was
the illegitimate daughter OF King Gustavus
W., who was dethroned in the year 1909
and that she was deprived of the above
mentioned fortune. She never received the
letters back again, and Mr. Johannson
now claims that the royal family shall
deliver them to the court.
Mr.. Johannson conducts his own case
His opening address made good impress
sion. He said the letters In question were
written personally by King Gustavus W.
In the year 1882, and he asserts that Mad
anne de la Brache was in reality the king s
daughter.
The defence denies that the letters are
in the possession OF the royal family. and
asserts that Madame de la Brache was the
daughter Of a customs officer, named Mag
nusson.
To Establish n Memorial
A movement already has been started TO
establish a memorial at Christiania RI the
great writer and philosopher, Biornsiern
Bjornson. The character of the memorial
has not yet been definitely decided upon.
n
civilized world will be invited to contribute.
King Haakon is taking an active personal
interest in the matter, while the kings of
Denmark and Sweden will Cooperate
heartily.
1t Is usual on the death of a great man
for crop of characteristic anecdotes to
crop up. The death of Bjornson was no
exception. Here is one which strikes me
as the best l have heard.
| He was asked on what occasion he OBJ
tanned the greatest pleasure from his fame
as a poet. He replied: 1T was when a
delegation from the Right came to my
house in Chrstiania and smashed ali the
windows. Because, when they had thus
attacked me and were starting from home
| again, they felt they ought to sing some
thing, and so they began to sing Yes, We
Love This Land of Ours They could do
nothing else. They had to sing the song
of the man whom they attacked"
| Perhaps nowhere out Of England did the
death of the late King Edward OF England
cause more sincere grief than In Copen-
hagen. Queen Alexandra, a Danish prin-
cess, spent much time here and was per-
haps more familiar figure in Copenhagen
than in London itself, She was always
popular among the Danes as was indeed
her distinguished husband. Many evidences
of the deep sympathy felt for her by the
Danes, in her bereavement have been sent
to the widowed queen
l understand it is her purpose to spend
much more Of her time in Denmark in the
future than she has in the past.