Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1914-09-17
SUMMARY OF IMPORT HAP.
PENINGs IN FAR OFF
NORTHWEST.
ITEMS FROM THE OLD ;iOME
Resume Of the McSt Important Events
In Sweden, Norway and Denmark
OF Interest to the scandlnavlans
In America.
NORWAY.

navy and part of the army have been
modified at those parts of the coun-
try most exposed to any of the bel
hgerent nations, course which all
the Scandinavian nations are taking.
King Haakon has decreed that prices
on articles of food. coal, coke, wood,
peat, mineral oils and such commodi-
ties shall be fixed by the public author
tiles. The use of grain or potatoes for
making alcohol and the sale OF all
liquor is prohibited. The breweries
are shutting down in order to turn
over their stock of grain to the flour
mills. The export of necessities has
been strictly forbidden. A committee
Of seven prominent men has been ap-
pointed to act in the interests of public
safety as regards the food supply. The
committee has taken steps to have
subcommittee formed in every coun-
try and the whole Norwegian press is
helping to warn the public not to get
panic-stricken. The king has repealed
| the obligation of the Bank of Norway
to redeem its paper bills by gold. With
the severance of commercial relations
with practically all Europe, the United
with which Norway may be able to
keep up a trade In food supply. The
leading ship owners, who have many
Norwegian ships in lease In the United
States, have taken steps to have the
amount they have earned deposited In
American and Canadian banks, which
would be authorized to represent the
Bank Of Norway. In that way Norway
would have money at its disposal
across sea with which to buy grain.
| Norway will have to look to the United
States for its wheat II the war is long
continued. The general estimate ID
that the present food supply is not
sufficient to last for more than few
months. Ordinarily Norway gets It's
rye and wheat from Russia and Ger
many, it's coal and coke from England,
its sugar from Germany, and its -four
| from the United States. With the ex-
ception Of American -four, importation
Of all these articles automatically
| ceased upon the outbreak of the war.
The situation was at first one of panic.
Even -four, normally five dollars for
200-pound sack, jumped to eight dol
lars, and fuel more than doubled in
| price. There has been run on the
bakeries and grocery stores and a
slight run on the banks, but the abil-
| ity of the latter to meet all demands
promptly quieted fears in that direc-
ton. The tourist season, which was
one of the best in many years. came to
an end abruptly Visitors fastened to
leave as soon as the mobilization in
Germany was started, but many Amer
leans with return tickets in England
and German ships remained, unable to
start for home.
The officers and men aboard the
Norwegian steamer King Guttorm,
bound from Krageroe to Bremerhaven.
witnessed the sea fight at Helgoland.
The weather was calm, but the dense
smoke from the tunnels Of the war
ships lay like black cloud above the
sea. There were about twenty-five
vessels on each side. When the fleets
drew close the cannonading sounded
like the continuous roar of the thun-
der and the sea was In great commo-
ton. The most advanced Of the battle
lines were only quarter Of mile
apart. Before getting away the King
Guttorm was completely surrounded
by the battling fleets and her terror
stricken crew found themselves in the
midst of shower of shells. The crew
believed that their last hour was near.
The steamers stern was struck by a
projectile. which penetrated her hull
without, however, going through. The
Norwegian vessel had many plates
shot through, her funnel was smashed.
and even her Flagstaff was brought
down.S Several of the crew were
wounded.
Those who are interested in the ex-
port OF fish and fish products we're
asked by the government whether II
would be advisable to prohibit the ex-
portation of such goods in, view of the
war. The answer was of such ma
ture. as to surprise the whole world.
OF dried fish there is enough to supply
the markets of Spain and Italy for a
whole year, or, to be more exact, about
one hundred and sixty million pounds.
The government has no more dry-fish
questions to ask.
The paper manufacturers, at con-
vention in Christiania, agreed to run
their mills as long as possible for the
sake Of the employees. But 1t was ad-
mitted that the situation may compel
general closing. The demand of the
home market can easily be met.
Two expeditions belonging to Jens
Gjaver spent the winter in Spitzber-
gen. They have just returned with the
following catch Eighty-one dead and
2 living bears, 1.760 pounds Of down, So
small seals. rs big seals, 20 white foxes
and blue foxes.
The first ship to be registered under
the American flag under the provisions
of the recently enacted ship registry
law is the Moldegaard. built in Nor
way in 1906, and owned by the Ocean
Freight line of New York. The papers
OF registry were signed In the custom
house by the officers Of the line and
the port officials.