Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1914-02-26
SWEDEN.

'Bondetaget," the farmers expedi-
ton TO Stockholm in the interest of
the defenses. must have been more
OF a success than It's originators
dared to expect, II the following cable
OF February 6 is correct: Striking
success, both spectacular and mate
rial. attended the monster demonstra-
ton today In favor OF the increase Of
Swedish ornaments. The $4,000 par
Elephants were told by King Gustaf
that the problem OF Swedish defense
must be settled without loss of time.
The army Of patriotic petitioners. that
had waited on the outskirts of the
Swedish capital since yesterday. was
greeted with enthusiasm by the entire
population OF Stockholm as 1t marched
through the streets to the palace.
where King Gustaf was waiting to
receive II. The procession was pic
turesque, composed Of small land own
ers and farmers from every part OF
the kingdom. All OF them were
dressed In holiday attire and wore
emblems representative OF the dis
tricts whence they came. The visi-
tors were warmly welcomed by the
king, who stood on the portico OF the
palace. Their petition stated they
wereAready to make all the necessary
sacrifices to defend their country and
to assure its Independence, and de-
manded that the matter be taken In
hand forthwith. The king replied
that he was in hearty accord with the
desire of the pilgrims and shared
their opinion that the problem was
one which must be solved without
loss Of time. On that point he de.
clared. 7 am determined not to yield.
The feet Of Sweden also must be
strengthened Each Of the men who
marched in the procession was pre-
sented with a small portrait Of His
majesty, and as the demonstrators
left the precincts OF the palace they
again were loudly cheered by the
mense scale were given for the mani
festations by clubs. gymnastic socie
ties. educational institutions and pa.
triotic bodies"
But there are two distinct sides TO
this proposition. The Liberals assert.
ed that the language used by the king
was stronger than a constitutional
monarch was justified In using. The
whole cabinet has intimated desire
to resign and in both chambers the
kings speech was severely criticised.
What Is considered the awkwardness
Of the kings position is increased by
the unwillingness OF the conserva.
tives to form cabinet. Two days
after the Bondtaget demonstration
10000 Socialists held demonstration
In front of the government Office
against increasing the expenditure OF
ornaments and demanded that the
ministers should work rather for
peace and fraternity. The premier,
NJ. Staaf, replied that In spite OF his
deep sympathy in the matter Of inter
national peace he was absolutely con-
WINGED that the Swedish people would
be compelled to make new and great
sacrifices for the defense OF the coun-
try. The government. however, he
added, was not inclined TO accede to
the demands for prolongation of the
service in the infantry until after the
general election.
Prince Eugen provided lodgings for
40 members OF the Farmers Expedl-
tion." which went to Stockholm In
the interest Of the defenses. Beds
were put up for them at the cottage
on Valdemar Point About 100
Swedes residing In Paris we're too far
away to appear in Stockholm, but
they wired the king that they were
in sympathy with the movement
According to contracts made with
the sugar trust the farmers Of
Sweden will devote 1000 acres more
to sugar beets this year than last
year.