The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1914-03-14
important Events in Sweden,
Norway and Denmark.
BRIEFS FROM OLD COUNTRY
Interesting Items From the Three
Great Kingdoms Of the North So
lected for scandlnavIans and
Their Descendants.
BY MARTIN W. oDLAND.
Sweden.

Events have followed rapidly In
Gweden In connection with the con.
stitutional crisis. After Baron de-
Geer had failed in his efforts to form
a new cabinet, and after other lead
ers had shaken their heads when APP
preached. King Gustaf commissioned
DR.. Knut Hammerskjoeld to undertake
the difficult task, with the result that
the following statesmen now consu-
tute the cabinet of Sweden:
Premier and minister of war-Dr.
Hammarskjoeld.
Minister of foreign affairs-K. A.
Wallenberg.
Minister Of marine-M. Brostroem.
Minister of finance-M. Vennersten.
Minister. of the interior-O. F. Won
sydow, governor of Norrbotten.
Minister of justice-Chief Justice
Hassebrot.
Minister of agriculture-Baron Beck
Triis.
Minister of Observation-Disclosures
Westman.
Colonel Moercke has been appointed
consulting counselor.
DR.. Hammerskjoeld was born Feb
ruary 4, 1862, being therefore q COM
paratively young man. He was minis
ter of justice in 1901-1902, and In 1902
became president of Jonkoping su-
preme court. He Is a member OF
the Hague conference and Is known
beyond the confines Of his own coun-
ty as q statesman Of ability. In
Sweden he stands high, both as
statesman and as lawyer. and 1t Is
conceded that he Is worthy sue
cessor to the eminent men who have
served as premiers. The cabinet as
q whole Is made up of able men, as
even the opposition to the govern
ment comedies, but the new regime Is
confronted with difficulties which will
probably prove insurmountable. Its
adherents or supporters are In MI
nority In the second chamber OF the
riksdag, which means that its de-
tense program cannot be put through.
Early dissolution is therefore newt
able. and already the greatest activity
prevails in all political quarters In
preparation for new elections.
The Springfield (Mass.) Republican,
which Is famous for its editorial ut
terances, deplores the entrance OF
Sweden into the militarist competition
of Europe in the following language:
"As militarism spreads 80 does op-
position to II, and It Is unpleasant to
see Sweden being drawn into the vor-
tex of controversy. In the recent past
the Scandinavian states have FORUM
ately stood a little aloof, and have
been content with the original Mael-
strom of Lofoden without plunging
into the maelstrom Of military COM
petition. For this relative immunity
which has made Sweden, Norway and
Denmark content with the modest
navies and armies of moderate size.
their outlying position has been part
ly responsible, and in part the fact
that they have no imperialistic pro-
gram to arouse the jealousy OF neigh
bors. II would be great pity now
to see them joining a mad race which
the best thought Of Europe Is doing
its best to check Nowhere is there
a stronger peace sentiment than In
Scandinavia, and it's writer's have
written eloquently against war, while
the Nobel prizes we're founded with
the principal purpose Of emphasizing
the arts Of peace. The demonstration
of the Swedish landowners and peas
ants in favor of stronger army and
navy finds prompt response in the
ounter-demonstration in which the
Socialists took the lead. The firm OPP
position of the Socialist party to war
and militarism will make 1t many new
converts In Europe as the competition
In ornaments grows more intense"
A bill has been introduced in the
first chamber of the riksdag by Capt
Hans Erickson, and In the second
chamber by Admiral Amid Lindman.
providing for the building of three
armor clad battleships. three subma-
rine boats and two cruisers during
the five-year period OF 1915-1919. The
three battleships are to be duplicates
OF the Sweden, the pride Of the Swed-
ish navy.
"Aftonbladet" announces that It is
the intention Of the new Swedish
American steamship line to begin op-
erations next year with two steamers
Of $4,000 tons displacement. and a
speed Of 1874 knots. II Is believed
that this high speed will secure to
the new line the transportation of the
mails Of the three Scandinavian coun-
tries.