Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1914-08-17
Progress of Sweden
Observations Of Prof. Alexis of the
University of Nebraska, Now Visit
ing in that Country.

Inc Bdltc exposition which is being held this
summer at Malmo, Sweden brings together four ma
lions which in times past have waged only too many
wars with one another Sweden and Denmark
separated by a sound known as Oresund have
engaged In many a bitter struggle. As passes
through the strait between Sweden and Denmark and
notices the towns and white cleaning villas lying
SO peacefully either side It Is hard believe that
there have been tremendous conflicts between swedcs
and Danes. so charming and gentle the picture that
nature here presents Denmark Russia and Germany
each by Itself have buildings in which the industries
OF these countries represented and in which the
very atmosphere OF each to extent at least
makes Itself felt When you enter the Danish build
ing you are brought out into the Danish heath and
made TO see the life OF the country well life
in the cities and towns. When Denmark about fifty
years ago lost scheswg- Holstein to Germany many
OF the good citizens Denmark felt we-ngh heart
broken but after the calamity had befalen the land
II seems that desire took hold OF the people to make
the most Of what still remained, and so the heath
was reclaimed When you enter the German building,
you are confronted with many things from the
"Vaterland" which reveal something of the in
domitabe German spirit which during the last fifty
years has made Germany prominent in the in
dusttal world There is distinctly Russian atmos-
phere prevailing in the Russian building and
can't help thinking OF the fact that Russia awaken
ing to realization of its strength and latent power
and that Russia therefore Is bound to assume
Increasing Importance in world politics.
The question OF armament and military training is
beng discussed in all earnestness in Sweden at the
present time and the country Is very much divided
the subject The party that is most DESTROYS OF
heavy defense is continually speaking Of Russia
the enemy that is destined to come in a short time
to take slice of scandinavian soil. We all know
that Russia has been exertng itself during the past
centuries TO gain outlet TO the Atlantic well
to the Mediterranean Russia needs ports that can
be kept open during the winter months. Sven Hedin
the Swedish explorer, has traversed Sweden from
north 10 south urging the people prepare for the
Ia Ia hat GWada Ia ahI
to maintain itself for time at least against a
possible foe, that enemy whoever it may be- will
hesitate about invading the country Hedin claims
that help will be given by other people
that il able 10 do at least something itself There
are many, however that believe that there is
danger and who feeling oppressed by the heavy drain
that goes with ornaments, demand relief
Tuesday July II, a day Of special interest at
the exposition the kings of Sweden and OF DEN
mark present and visited the various exhibits.
Christian OF Denmark arrived in the morning and
spent the day in company with Gustav V OF Sweden.
The city had been decked specially for the occasion
The two nonarchs made rather hurried visit in the
different buildings and exceeded the speed
by Theodore Roosevelt his travels through Europe,
They began with the Danish building where they
spent about hour Hereupon they proceeded to
the Swedish halls and followed much the same route
that other visitors at Malmo have taken during the
last few weeks and looked such exhibits $
represent the schools engineering and architecture.
eloyd, the SWenlSn railways, the light
house service, the shoe factories, etc. There
however. but little excitement connected with this
visit of two monarcbs. The scandinavans are in
spirit very democratic and a large number would per-
haps prefer a republic to a monarchy They certainly
are not king worshppers, But as the kings of
Scandinavia have already been shorn of much Of their
power and have for the most part Deen willing to
follow the trend of the in which they i've there
is at present particular desire to make change
In government The kings of Scandinavia have ac-
CommOdated themselves needs N ext
of the times. and may well believe that II they
had done so. Christian, and Gustav would
not be occupying their thrones today.
In the railway stations in Sweden one frequently
pacard with the words: Don't leave for
America before having learned from the society
against emigration what opportunities there may be
for you at home" 1t may be Of interest why
1t is that immigration to the United States from the
Scandinavian countries has to considerable extent
decreased The must be found at least partly
in asohange in material conditions readily
that in this respect Scandinavia has greatly inn
proved since the days of 1s6So and later years
when there a heavy stream of migration from
the northern countries of Europe to the United States
And yet of America feel that the opportunities
much better in America than in the European
countries, for the cost Of living is nearly high
In Europe In America while wages consider
ably lower One effective method in the checking OF
emigration has been the followed out by the
government during the last few years. Money Is
loaned out at exceedingly low rate of interest to
people who show that they are willing to work to
acquire little farm a home of their own The
society against emigration the people in every
II can to bring about better conditions And then
the press Is of assistance in keeping the people at
home in that 1t makes frequent reference to hard
times in America and In other countries which
swedes have felt attracted. Needless to say condi-
lions in America times painted in colors too
dark TO be In accord with the real situation but
must bear in mind that 1t is serious matter for
| European nations 10 be tapped its lifeblood
year after year without receiving from other
| the equivalent OF what they losing We must
show some appreciation of the patriotic fervor that
expresses itself this endeavor make the country
| an agreeable place for all the people.
| AS far natural scenery Is concerned, the
Scandlnavians need leave the fatherans We find
the homes situated by lake or river where nature
makes its most effective appeal Hesingborg on
Oresund is illustration The sound between Sweden
and Denmark Is here narrow, only three four
miles wide and from hundreds OF residences in tbs
Swedish city of Helsingborg a splendid view of the
Danish coast Is offered Opposite Helsingborg lies
| the Danish town OF Elsnore made famous by
! Shakespeares Hamlet The drives and walks along
the sound are among the finest in all the world
| skane (seana), the most southerly province IL
Sweden. has been called the granary of the country