Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1914-08-20
NORWAY.

King Haakon was forty-two years
old August 3. On this occasion an
American writer makes the following
remark about the ruler of the north
ernmost kingdom In the world: 1t
will be hard to find less autocratic
monarch on the face of the globe than
King Haakon. His simplicity is su-
perb. At the time of his nomination
as king of Norway the whole country
was clamoring for his acceptance of
the crown; he refused point blank to
have anything to do with it. Not I'M
til know by a general plebiscite from
the nation that this sudden invitation
to Join the charmed circle OF mon
archy comes from the heart Of the
people, and not from party causes
win ! accept this hoLor," he said in
answer to his peoples clamorings
The plebiscite was taken. while vot-
ing was going on through Norway the
results were each morning telegraphed
to Copenhagen. King Christian, the
court, and the entire Danish people
waited with anxiety those kilograms
which one by one helped to form the
royal crown. But no. SO the center
Of all this excitement, the king him
helf, he still pursued the even tenor
Of his way. When the telegram ar
rived recording the formal decision Of
Norway, there was the greatest trou-
BILE to find the new king. He had set
out on his steam launch to the other
end of the port to inspect a torpedo
boat. He lightly excused himself to
the court messenger who rushed after
him. Il beg your pardon. my dear
sir-the service, you know. suppose
they will have to arrange to fill my
place" His compulsory resignation
from the naval service, which he had
chosen as a career in the days when
to wear a crown had been beyond his
widest dreams, was probably one Of
the bitterest phases of his life. He
loved the sea as only born sailor
knows how, and now he has a little
consolation in his present position as
king in the fact that he is called upon
to do a great deal of yachting, for
a large proportion of his subjects
dwell In such remote spots that the
best means OF reaching them is by
water.
Seven hundred street car conduc-
tors and motormen went on a strike
In Christiania, and for some time only
the line to the exposition grounds was
kept In operation by volunteers and
officials. Serious disturbances were
caused by the strikers and their SYM
pathizers when new men were en-
ployed to start the cars. Stones and
other missiles we're thrown and many
car windows were smashed. Many
persons were slightly injured. The
leaders of the row we're arrested
The Bergen Steamship company has
made arrangements for two pleasure
expeditions to northern Norway on
the occasion OF the total eclipse of
the sun in those quarters August 81.
The Neptune is to leave Hamburg the
10th, and Mira will leave the 18th OF
August. A number OF German and
Belgian astronomers will join the ex
petition. The Germans will have an
observatory on the Island of Stokka
The expedition win wind up with a
trip to Spitzbergen.
The Norwegian aviator, Lieutenant
Gran, who was a member OF Scott's
Antarctic expedition. made a success
full fight over the North sea from
Croudin bay, Aberdeenshire. Scotland,
landing at Kiep. near Stravanger. He
accomplished the fight of 800 miles
in four hours and ten minutes.