Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1914-12-24
important Events IN Sweden,
Norway and Denmark.
BRIEFS FROM OLD COUNTRY
Interesting items From the Three
Great Kingdoms Of the North Sc
sscsed for seandlnavians and
4 Their Descendants.
BY MARTIN w. opLANo.


ACCORDING 10 NHfisfiaAlA cofFG+
spondent, many of the welainformed
people Of Norway fear that Russia
may demand an e-free harbor IN
northern Norway at the close OF the
war, if the allies triumph over Ger
many They doubt the power Of Eng
land TO thwarf the wishes OF Russia
in this direction, and point TO state
snents in the English press where hope
is expressed that the czar's govern
ment may seek ON osttlet Id some 9th
er quarter than Scandinavia, as indi-
cations OF q feeling In that country
that the Northern Bear may make de
lnands which the British government
win not be in position to refuse Peo-
pie who distrust Russia tlnd eonfirnla-
ton OF their fears In the fact that
the Russians have conducted sys-
tematic colonization OF Fifmarken,
the northern district OF Norway. They
note with alarm the Russian stamp
that is gradually inlpressing itself
upon the district. There are Russian
business houses displaying Russian
signs, and Russian Is becoming more
and more common form OF speech.
Russian money Ii used just as much
as Norwegian money. and instances
are known where Russian merchants
have refused to accept Norwegian
coin and have demanded Russian
money.
Ia recent letter before the stu
dent society OF the University OF Chris
tiania. former Minister Of War Bratlle
expressed the belief that England
would not be able to refuse Rslssia's
demand for an icefras barber In north.
ern Scandinavia. II this should be
made upon the close OF the war,
Herman RiddeT. editor of the New
York Voikszeitnng, has published q
statement which corroborates the
above. He charges that there Is an
understanding between England and
Russia that Russia snail have a free
hand in Norway and Sweden. In re-
turn for Russia's willingness to re.
| hnquish Harburg and other North sea
| ports to England. He says that the
| foreign Offices OF England and Russia
have been negotiating for some time
along the lines indicated What proofs
he has and what value attaches TO
them, is not stated
Upon the outbreak OF the great war
expressed the opinion Ia this column
that Norway, Sweden and Denmark
might be involved in the struggle
through the desire IF the helligercnts
to use some of the Scandinavian har-
bors as naval bases Al recent issue
OF the Volkszeitung, a German daily
published at ST. Paul. prints a dis.
patch, under Christianta date line.
In which is given the alarming news
that England has notified the govern.
ment OF Norway that II wants to take
possession OF Chfistiansand harbor
and city, with the understanding that
Ii shall yacate the same when the war
lis over and compensate the govern
nent for their use OF course. for Nor.
way TO give consent to this PROPOSE
tion would be equivalent to joining
the allies against Germany and Aus
ltria. and the dispatch says that the
government promptly refused Its as-
sell and ordered troops 10 Christian
sand and began strengthening the
citg's defenses. Christiansand com
mands the entrance to the Skagerrack
and is therefore Of considerable strate.
| gic Importance. The English news
papers Of America have printed no
such news as the above (which Ger.
imam sympathizers say is due to their
readiness TO England). and there
may be no truth lii the dispatch In
question; but IL there ia. the menace
OF war has become decidedly real in
Norway.
/ The municipal court OF Bergen has
handed down a decision In the famous
case involving the ownership of some
poems which Henrik ibsen wrote when
he was young man Mrs. Rikke
Tresselt, nee Hoist, some sixty years
ago received three poems from Ibsen,
lone of them being looked upon as a
proposal. When she was married she
turned the letters over 10 good friend
OF hers, and Jakob Rome Petersen,
the author, has obtained possession of
them. He considered them to be his
legal property and refused to return
Them. The municipal court came 10
1.-The conclusion that the poems are the
property OF Mrs. Tresselt. and Peter.
sen was ordered to turn them over to
her or pay a fine OF s2.70 day as long
ls he keeps them. He must also pay
costs amounting to s45.
The Norwegian steamer Conrad
MohT. oil laden, from Philadelphia No
IFember 10. was captured BY q British
cruiser The cruiser sent an officer
aboard and the Conrad Moir was con.
Igayed TO Queenstown. An investiga.
| son as TO the ownership or the cargo
was made. The Conrad Mohr sailed
Ilor bergen the next day.
The Norwegian steamer Sigrun,
IwhIeh sailed rom New York Noyae1.