Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-02-18
NORWAY.

Norwegian shippers are taking ad
vantage of the war. Consul E. H.
Hobe of st. Paul. sides up the situation
In the following terms: American
exporters and manufacturers are learn
ing that they now can export direct to
Norway. Sweden and Denmark. and
are establishing relations which will
be maintained no matter what may
be the outcome of the war. The Nor.
wegian-American line. hardly more
than a year old. q pioneer In the field
of direct transportation between Nor
way and America. has been obliged to
charter II vessels to handle all the
business that Is offered With the i've
vessels owned by the company, the
new concern is now controlling %
ocean-going vessels. Norway is not
self-sustaining and must obtain food.
stuffs from other countries, particu-
larry beef. and all grain products
America, If not the only source of sup
ply. is at any rate the most available
Just at present the balance of trade
may be In favor of the United States.
but without any question there is Ger.
tain to be great increase in the i'm.
ports from Norway, and doubtless
from the other Scandinavian countries
They have many things that America
needs The voyage back and forth is
entirely safe from mines and war
ships, both for passenger and freight
boats, as since the war began our line
has abandoned fits former lane just
to the north of Scotland and taken a
new route far beyond the danger
zone"
The Sjofartstidende tShipping
News) says: THE maintenance of
our shipping means not only an indis-
pensable source of income to Norway
but II is the only means of keeping
famine out OF the country II our
shipping were stopped we would lose
gross income of s135. 900 day, and ex-
ports to the value of $4,000 day
would be shut of. This would also
shut down the factories and the
mines, An interruption of our ship
ping trade would Immediately throw
us into condition worse than that
experienced hundred years ago. The
maintenance OF our shipping depends
mainly on those en- board the ships
Their task is more dangerous than be-
fore and far more difficult than it used
to be. 1t is great honor to our navi-
gators that We have not lost larger
number of ships during the dark
stormy autumn nights, sailing without
the guide of lights and often running
the risk of striking land on one side
Or mines on the other Great courage.
skill, se'f-sacrifice and fidelity are man
ifested on board Norwegian ships at
the present time, 1t must be said
aloud that those who have remained
on board and done their duty during
these times deserve the gratitude OF
the nation"
The rapidly of the development Of
the industrial life of Norway is by no
means realized by the world at large
Statistics covering the 15-year period
beginning in 1897 and closing in 1912
show this development in a striking
manner. The unit used is what Ger
man statisticians call "a years work"
or 300 days. During the is years the
number of industries increased from
$500, to 1900. At the same time the
number of years work" increased
from $1,000 to $4,000. In other words.
the number of industries increased SO
per cent and the number Of years
work" So per cent, while the increase
of the population was only 10 per cent.
The number Of horse power used In
creased from 159, 900 to 591, 900. or 272
per cent. 1t Is also very interesting
to note that the increase of the num-
Der of horse power per human years
work" increased from 26 to 81 per
cent. One horse power being consid-
cred equal to II man power" the
number of man power increased from
100000 to 100000. The wages paid
Increased from s12.960,000 to s33.210.-
900. or 1874 per cent. while the amount
of all incomes increased only SO per
cent The annual income of those en-
gagged in the industries increased from
1922 to 1924.
The snowfall in Norway this year is
the heaviest in Is years, and has
caused damage in breaking down trees
and wires. The temperature has been
only few degrees below freezing. and
the snow has afforded fine sport. The
king, queen and crown prince have
gone to their cottage in the hills near
Christiania to enjoy skiing. Many Eng
fish officers are in the health resorts
in the mountains. recuperating from
wounds.
The annual convention of the tenn.
perance forces Of Norway requested
the storthing to prohibit the liquor traf-
hc as was done shortly after the break
ing out of the war. But such prohibit
ton must be backed up by an embargo
on foreign liquors in order to be ef-
fective.
The fishermen around Kristianssund
have been doing well for the last few
weeks. Several steamers struck such
heavy shoals of herring that their
nets were broken. In some cases
whole nets were carried away and
lost.
1t Is estimated that the work of re-
storing the Trondhjem cathedral will
he finished in "a wears The hudpet