The L'Anse sentinel., 1914-10-03
Sweden.


A vote to maintain the neutrality o.
Sweden was taken in the riksdag Z
few days ago, all parties being agreed
that the best policy for the nation Il
pursue is to take no sides and pla,
no favorites. 1t is at the same tim,
agreed, however, that Sweden mus
be ready for any emergency, and OF
that account should be well armed.
Swedish papers have announced
with no little pride that the armoret
turrets and the cannon in the Liege
forts, which did such valiant service
against the Germans. were designed
by a Swedish engineer, Ernst o. W.
Ternstrom.
King Gustaf has received a telegram
from the German emperor thanking
the people of Sweden for the kind
ness shown by them to German fugi-
tives who were driven out Of Russia
when the war broke out. These fu-
gitives were in destitute condition,
and but for the help extended by the
Swedes. would Shave been unable to
get back to Germany or keep from
starving. AS was stated last week, the
Swedish people were also kind to
Russian refugees from Germany, and
messages of thanks were sent to
Stockholm from St. Petersburg or
Petrograd.
The moratorium which was declared
in Sweden August z, and which was
to expire in 80 days, had depress-
ing effect on many Industries, being
too comprehensive. It was generally
expected that 1t would be extended,
but the chief OF the National bank
urged the finance department to eth
er terminate or materially modify It
In order to prevent scarcity Of food
throughout the country and. II possi-
BILE, to prevent the unwarranted rails
ing of prices, the governments provi-
sion committee, or food supply com.
mittee. has arranged conference with
the cooperative association of the
farmers and will open trade relations
with them. For this purpose the COM
mittee has received from the Swedish
government loan OF half million
crowns.
Considerable feeling was aroused
among the singers of Stockholm over
the closing of the opera of the cap
ital on account OF the mobilization.
AS there is surplus of 365, 900 crowns
in the treasury of the opera company.
and as the mobilization had no direct
effect upon the activity of the opera.
the singers could see no reason for
the closing. especially in view OF the
fact that the opera at Berlin did not
take such action.
There has been such scarcity OF
silver coins In Sweden. the same as
in Denmark. that 1t has become al
most impossible to make change. on
which account the National bank has
asked permission of the government
to issue one crown paper bills. as
was done in the 70s. AS this requires
a change in the banking laws, the re-
quest of the National bank was re-
ferred to the riksdag, which will soon
act upon it. However, 1t is hoped that
the people will render these smaller
paper bills unnecessary by digging
up the silver money which has gone
into hiding.
The government OF Sweden has pre-.
pared report on the extent of the
damage wrought last July to the Swed-
ish national forests, and according to
this report over 5000 "Hektar" have
been burned over. Much young tim
Der in particular has been destroyed,
both in Norrland and in central
Sweden. The industrial commission
has asked the minister Of agriculture
IL the charcoal OF these burned over
districts cannot be utilized for indus
trial purposes and also suggests that
work be provided the unemployed by
having them clear away the stumps
in stricken territory.
The Swedish minister Of finance has
been doing his utmost to keep the in
dustries Of Sweden going. and to that
end had a meeting with 200 -fepresent-
atives OF the various industries. to
consider what steps can be taken to
prevent industrial stagnation. It was
agreed that the resumption Of the
coastwise trafic is of primo impor-
tance. and state insurance OF war
risks to vessels was considered.