The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-05-12
Laurium Department

ania, the capital. Norway had no
standing army and the only force
available was nOndescTipt mob Of
peasants and citizens poorly armed
and with little or no military training.
il seems possible that the Norweg-
ian troops would have been completely
annihilated had general engagement
been fought. but on the very eve If
battle Carl Johan proposed that the
Norwegian constitution be recognized
with the amendment that "A joint king
dom be formed with the king Of Swe-
den as ruler. The NOrwegians on their
part thought the compromise an hon
Orable one.
AT Moss this plan was perfected
The two countries were To be united
under one king, descending i'm the male
line and always of the Lutheran faith
He was To have command of the arm
ed forces of both Kingdoms but his
powers, which were almost absolute in
Sweden, were greatly restricted in
Norway and II was provided. more
over, that the descendcnt of Barnadot-
te at new succession. must be crown
ed in the Cathedral of Trondhjem as
king OF Norway.
Union Is Dissolved.
History indicates that iC was the
purpose Of Bernadotte to make this
agreement because it was cxpedient,
but that he planned To circumvcnt its
provisions later and extend and
strengthen his powers over Norway.
But the favorable circumstance never
arose, the treaty that created the dual
kingdom of Sweden and Norway re-
NAMED and the constitution endured.
The constitution is enduring toddy.
and the union between Sweden and
Norway remained until the memoir
able year 1905.
Back in 1914, when the act Of union
was adopted the provisions for the
diplomatic and consular services, I'M
fortunately were not so definite as was
found i'm after years to be necessary.
II was the custom of kings, i'm the
rame their own representatives. and il
could not be foreseen that legislative
bodies would come To exist in later
years that would question this prerog-
ative.
Norway became insistent and the
storthing passed a bill providing for Il
separate consular service. King oscar
of Sweden and Norway refused To sign
it. The Nicholson ministry resigned.
The king could not get together a new
cabinet and he refused to accept the
resignation of the Nicholson ministry
June Historic Date.
June I. 1905. is n historic date in
Norway, for that day the storthing
passed resolution declaring that the
king was not lin function" and that
the union between Sweden and Nor
way was dissolved. The Nicholson
ministry. now rendering its resigna-
ton to the storthing, found il not ac-
copied, but on the contrary the min
istry was commissioned by the Nor
wegian legislative body to carry on the
government during the interrcgnum
until there should be new ruler chos-
en-. June s. 1905. the Norwegian flag.
clear and without the Swedish cross
in the corner was raised.
How King Oscar refused to reCog-
nize the dissolution, how war impend-
ed. how the liberals and social demo-
Gratis interjcctcd their influence for
peaceful settlement and how the Swe-
dish nobility and the military element,
anxious to march on Christiania, We're
held in leash is recent history. one
great and important fact stood out in
the 1905 crisis. Norway was absolute
~ united.
Nevertheless the riksdag prepared
for invasion of Norway and troops be-
gan to move The Norwegian army
was ordered mobilizcd June 80. Karl
of Denmark received the offer of the
vacant throne eleven days later. Nor
way was at work everywhere through
her loyal sons To secure the recognition
of the great powers of the world
August IS the Norwegian people by
an overy hclming majority voted to APP
prove the dissolution. The Swedish
riksdag named delegates to meet Nor
wegian delegates for settlement of the
whole question. They met at karls-
tad, Sweden.
Nov IL. Karl of Denmark was chos-
en- king of Norway. AS Haakon VII
he is a part OF the governmental ma
chinery of Norway and takes his place
among the sovereigns of the world.
But he does not rule" Norway.
Prosperity and development have
followed the revolution of 1905.