Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1914-06-03
or interest TO
SCAND|NAv|ANS.
News Gathered IN the Father.
land and Elsewhere.
May UNITE TWO COUNTRIES

May UNITE Two COUNTRIES
Danger Of Foreign Encroachment
Causing Alarm In Both Norway and
Observation-Disclosures Languages
Taught in Public Schools Of Five
Western states-copenhaoen Work
Ing Glasses Have Novel Method Of
Enjoying Country Life.
i. j. i. i. ]. j. i. !. j. i. ]. !. f. + i.
f. NORWAY. +
i. j. j. j. !. !. !. + i. j. + j. + l. !. + +
A recent Christiania dispatch says:
The western half of tho Scandinavian
peninsula, like the eastern half, has
become agitated by the problem of
national defense. The campaign for
a strengthened armament appears al
most daily to assume some new phase
of popular interest and it is believed
that the common demand for protec-
ton against encroachment by any OF
the European powers may bring Nor
way and Sweden together again to
the extent of a defensive alliance.
The people of the Scandinavian pen
insula-whether they be Norwegians
or Swedes-have no thoughts of ex-
pansion, but want to be kept out OF
the political turmoil which during the
last few years has agitated Europe.
Fears that integrity treaties are
worthless have become popular among
Scandinav1ans since the Balkan war,
when it was seen that Turkey profited
little by its treaties, as guaranteed by
the powers. In a war between the
triple entente and tho triple alliance
the Scandinavian peninsula, with its
safe and excellent ports, might be of
such value to any Of the belligerents
as refuge Ravens or operation bases
that no paper treaties would stand in
the way of seizure. 1t such we're the
case it is feared that Norway and
Sweden might, against their will, be
drawn into warfare. Recognition OF
this is the moving factor in the talk
Of a military alliance between Nor
and preservation of neutrality. Both
nations are exercised over possible
dangers from the East. 1t is believ-
ed, however, that no European power
at war with another would be able
to detach enough of it's military forces
to operate against q we'll fortified
Scandinavia without exposing it's own
ports and frontier to the enemy. It
is evident that the people of Norway
are inclining more and more to this
view, and it is doubtful If the Norwe-
gian parliament and the radical cabi-
net, which Is not yet alarmed over
the political situation In Europe, will
be able to resist the general call from
the people for strengthening Of the
defenses, larger appropriations for
the army and the navy, better forti-
f1cation of the forts and longer mill
tary service. Parliament recently has
heightened the service in the navy
from half a year to full year, and
bill for a longer service In the army,
which now is IA days, is in prepare
ton. There is general demand for
one years service in the army, and
all the parties except the Socialists
have declared their willingness to
bear heavier military burdens. The
centennial Of Norway's constitution is
giving an impetus to patriotic senti-
ment, recalling how 100 years ago
Norway trusted only in it's own re-
sources and braved all Europe in re-
fusing to submit to the demand from
the allied powers. The general in
terest which has been inspired for
increased armament is such that civic
organizations of many kinds and pri-
vate individuals are subscribing to-
ward funds. Women's societies par
ticularly are busy everywhere collect
ing money, and numerous local or
CARNATIONS are planning to buy mill
tary aeroplanes for their special dis
tricts, and banks and business houses
are giving of their last years profits
to the defense. A patriotic seal,
something like the stamps used in
tuberculosis campaigns to be placed
on mail, is proving success toward
fund raising. The stamp bears the
words, I'LL defend my land" and it is
sold by hundreds of thousands. the
money to 60 for defenses.
!. !. +
The question of Norwegian emigra-
ton to Canada has been brought into
prominence by the trial of libel suit
against the editors of the Aftenposten
brought by the agent of the Canadian
Pacific railway. The plaintiff in the
suit was David Jacobsen, who was
until recently the Norwegian consul
at Montreal. He returned to Norway
recently to take charge of the rail.
ways immigration agency in Chris
tiania. While in Canada Mr.. Jacob
sen sent reports to his government
denouncing the alluring promises held
out by the Canadian authorities for
attracting emigrants. He represent
ed that the railways gave the most
difficult work to Norwegian laborers,
that they were inadequately paid
and not we'll protected legally. On d
trip home Mr.. Jacobsen gave lectures.
say Christiania dispatches, in which
he expressed the same views. The
libel suit was based on an article
which criticised the former consul,
nnrnro rinu h3o rnrlr oo o~ou% - 60.