The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-05-02
HAMBRO
Welcomed
TO FARGO
Comes As Representative Of
Norwegian Government
Gave an Address at the Fargo
Commercial Club
Invites Native Born Americans
to Visit Norway

A warm welcome was extended at
the noon luncheon of the commercial
club today to c. J. Hambro, represen-
tative. Of the Norwegian government
in the centennial which will be held
there during next year..
as.aI laenee wass extended bgthe
executive committee of the club as
well as several citizens. natives or
descendants of Norway parents.
Col Morton Page presided at the
meeting and gave the distinguished
visitor a pleasant greeting, after which
Mr.. Hambro was asked to give talk.
He began by stating that he hoped to
have the pleasure of welcoming many
North Dakota people, not only those
of Norwegian descent. but native
Americans to Norway next year. He
said that everywhere in the northwest,
and particularly in North Dakota, Min
nesota and Wisconsin, he had been
very pleasantly received and he thank
ed the club for the hospitality that
was extended on this occasion. He
was. glad to meet with the business
men of the city at the luncheon and
gave the city some nice words of praise
for its appearance and general bust
ness look. He said that it was always
a pleasure for a Norwegian to visit in
North Dakota, because the people from
that little country had done so much
to assist in building up this state.
He had been advised by the American
minister to visit North Dakota and he
was glad to be here. He felt that North
Dakota would be one of the brightest
of the stars in the flag of the stars
and stripes.
He then took up the question Of the
centennial and said he wanted Ameri-
can born people to visit there as well
as those who had formerly resided in
Norway, because he thought it would
be profitable to all. He spoke Of the
great achievements that his country
had made in the past 100 years and
said that in all walks of life, in all
branches of business Norway was ad-
vancing, and he mentioned some of the
names that mean much to the average
Norwegian. He gave many statistics
of work done in Norway in trade, busi-
ness, in the arts, poetry, etc, and said
they were really beginning to get
awake.
He spoke of the statue that North
Dakota is going to send to Norway
and said that it would be placed in
Christiania, the capital, and that he
believed that it would do that country
as well as this good, for Abraham Lin
stands for.
He said that the people of America
would meet with a hearty welcome
when they crossed the ocean next
year. He believed that the people of
his country had a great interest in all
that Is done by America, for this coun-
try was an ideal that Norway felt
proud to honor and follow. While the
centennial of Norway would not be
nearly SO large as the one that is now
building in California, still it would
give an idea of what that country is
doing. 1t would be national affair,
not an international one. He wanted
to see model Red river farm dis
played at the centennial, for he believ-
ed that it would do America good. He
took the position that Norway 1000
power, but that now she is coming
back. He said the fact that many
people en1igrated to America did not
look bad for the country, because it
showed that the people there had got
ten to be progressive, that they want
ed to have more elbow room and there
was no place where they could get so
much of 1T as here in America.
He said that Norway people In
America felt proud over the fact that
they were considered to be self made,
and 1t was a good sign. He praised
America and her people, and he talk
ed Of what the Norwegians had done
In the northwest In building UP this
country, and In closing he again
thanked the commercial club and
guests for the pleasant reception.
Short talks were given at the close
Of Mr.. Hambro's address by Olaf
Bjorke OF Abercrombie, DR.. FjeIde,
Mayor Sweet and others.
The announcement was made that
Mr. Hanbro will speak this evening ait
8 O'clock ait the Sons OF Norway hall
on North Broadway. He is the guest
Iof Alfred Gabrielson during his stay
in the city and has been very much
pleased at what he has been seeing