Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1914-10-01
SCANDINAVIAN news
SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT HAP.
PENINGs IN FAR OFF
NORTHWEST.
ITEMS FROM THE OLD HOME
Resume Of the Most Important Events
In Sweden, Norway and Denmark
OF Interest to the Seandlnavians
In America.

So skilled an expert as Sigurd lbsen
declares there Is reason to regard the
position of the Scandinavian countries
with equanimity. There is nothing to
show that any of the combatants de-
sire to break their neutrality. One nat
urally expects that Norwegian port
may become a temporary refuge for
foreign batsleships during the war.
But that will not be similar to a
breach OF neutrality. 1t can happen
in full agreement with The Hague con-
vention rules. 1t might be critical
for Sweden If the British feet pur-
sued the German feet to the Baltic.
But since Russia and Great Britain
are allies in this war, it Is most nat
ural that Britain will seek her points
Of support on the Russian coast. The
northern countries, however, suffer
economic loss from the war. Mobil-
ization takes enormous sums and takes
away numerous providers OF families
from their homes and work. The dis
tress which can be caused thereby is
not easy to overcome, even II every
thing is done by the public. Large
industrial plants have suspended oper-
ations and there is a great want of
work. Efforts are being made to re-
move the stagnation in several lines.
Boats and products of neutral states
are welcome In the ports of all the
fighting powers and all traffic should
be able to be maintained both to Brit
ain and to Germany.
ngton.-Norway and Sweden
are in nervous state over their posi-
ton at the close OF the present war
in Europe. There are so many powers
at war and the mapmakers will find
it SO hard to satisfy them all when
the time comes to patch up peace that
the Scandinavian countries are taking
every precaution not only not to be
drawn into the war, but also not to be
involved in the settlement afterward,
These precautions are taken notwith-
standing the treaties and understand
ings which protect the integrity of
neutral countries. They have seen the
Belgian treaty torn up and don't want
to see that kind of work spread. In
formation has recently been conveyed
to the state department here OF the
state of Swedish and Norwegian pub
lie opinion. 1t did not come through
regular diplomatic channels, but as
the result of visits to Europe of a
prominent member of congress. He
has completed a tour of the world,
and on the last leg Of the journey
passed through Russia, Finland,
Sweden and Norway. This gentleman
says that both governments have taken
every precaution to assure their po-
sition. The waters OF each nation
have been mined and are paroled in an
efficient manner. Passengers travel
ing on Swedish and Norwegian boats
are required to keep below while pass
ing through in order that they may
not observe the precautions.
London.--The Standard states that
the Germans are making desperate
attempt W uSPiiNc tuc Sniteu Ming
dom of provisions supplied by
the Scandinavian countries. German
agents, 1t says, are now travelling
through Norway, Sweden and Den
mark, offering prices 20 per cent high
er than those carried by British con-
tracts. To aid this attack the Ger
man government has removed the i'm
port duty on provisions. English mer-
chants are concerned lest the Danish
merchants, influenced by German high
prices, should divert some of their
trade to Germany. Such practice, they
state, is contrary to the established
trade principle of giving preference
to a regular customer In time Of
stress.