Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-03-25
in FAR NORTHLAND'
Important Events in Sweden,
Norway and Denmark.
BRIEFS FROM OLD COUNTRY
interesting Items From the Three
Great Kingdoms Of the North Sc.
iected for Scandlnavians and
Their Descendants.
BY MARTIN w. OpLAND.
Sweden.


Sweden.
AS has been frequently stated in
these columns, Sweden Is inclined to
sympathize with Germany In the great
war. although maintaining all the
time strict neutrality. The leading
papers of Sweden have recently shown
their leanings to Germany, as witness
the following comment In the Stock
holm Dagblad on the submarine
blockade:
Should the German people allow
themselves to be starved? Is it the
wish Of Great Britain that children
die for want of food? These are the
questions which the Germans have to
ask themselves. They are the result
of the British answers to the protest
of the United States in which England
expresses her arbitrary views in re-
gard to contraband"
Witness also the declaration of the
Nya Daglig Allenhanda that not Ger
many by her decree, but England by
her North sea pronouncement of No
vember 3, 1914, has led the maritime
war into channels which are distruc-
tive of all rules on international Law
and grossly unjust to neutral nations.
England" the Nya Oaglig Allie
banda continues, gives as an excuse
her life interests. But that is hardly
motive which will justify the starva-
ton of the German civilian populace.
1t is clear that he who was first sub
Iected to such barbarous treatment
has right to try to rid himself of the
murderous assailant"
The Aftonbladet views the matter
thus:
Freight rates will be further i'm.
creased. and so will the price of all
oversee goods. The financial misery
of the entire world has really just be
gun, Everybody in Great Britain be-
lieyed that the English blockade would
ruin Germany in a few months. To
day Germany is not any worse off than
her enemies. In some respects she is
even faring better than Russia and
France. The most exhausted state at
present Is Russia"
The post Office department of the
Swedish government has decided to
teach some of its employees the Rus
sian language. The first class will be
started soon at Stockholm with a linn
tied number of students, made up of
postal clerks who handle a great deal
Of foreign mail
Fears have been expressed in
Sweden that there may be deficiency
In the meat supply, unless the exporta-
ton of cattle is prohibited. and the
government instituted an investiga-
ton the first of the year II Is found
that 10000 head Of cattle have been
shipped out of the country from the
beginning of the war till January l,
1918, but in spite of that fact there is
still a surplus of 10000 cattle In
Sweden AID the department of agricuI-
ture strongly advises against an
embargo
Lindhagen, Stockholm's socialist
mayor, has come forward with severa!
propositions in the riksdag which are
apt to attract general attention First
he proposes that the three Scand;-
navian governments shall agree upon
complete disarmament. Second. that
the parliamerts Of the three Scandi-
naeian nations shall deliberate to-
gether upon the conditions and prin-
ciples which shall be pressed when
the great war is over and a settlement
Is to be made. Third. that Sweden
shall champion the creation of a world
government and world parliament
br, David Rersstrom, former min
lister OF war, has urged in the riksdag
the Importance of being ready to take
advantage of every trade opportunity
at the close Of the war He believes
that there will be such opportunities
then. especially in Russia, and it is up
to Sweden 10 be ready.
The people of Sweden have taken |
a deep interest In the consideration by
the Odelsting of the so-ealled in |
heritance and name law. and many ;
were greatly shocked when that |
branch OF the riksdag ratified the law.
They were shocked because that law |
virtually puts children born out OF |
wedlock on the same basis as children |
born in wedlock as regards inheritance |
and the parental name. This is re- |
garded as deadly blow at the in |
stitution OF matrimony and the home,
and wonder is expressed that Sweden,
So far advanced in point of women's |
rights, should contemplate such step. |