Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1915-08-31
Sweden.

allies, as Sweden has gathered an
! army of considerable magnitude and
is well equipped with munitions for
a small nation. The Swedish min
lister at London, Count Wrangel, de-
clares, however, in a public interview
that Sweden's decision to remain neu-
trail Is as firm as ever. There is" he
said, mo foundation for the rumors
and the suggestion that Sweden con.
templates action for recovery of Fin,
| land. Premier Sazonoff's speech in
| the Russian duma clearly indicates
| the relations between Sweden and
| Russia are Of the most friendly ma
ture." The London Morning Post de.
clared the attitude of Sweden toward
Russia and the latter's allies for some
| time has revealed elements of a dis
quieting character. "Emboldened by
recent German successes" the news
paper says, "the latent hostility OF
Sweden, which has never forgiven the
| loss Of Finland, has become strongly
| developed. Considerable preparations
| for warlike contingencies have been
| made in northern Sweden and the
Swedish army is fully modified. II
Sweden persists in her unfriendly at
titude toward Russia, she may rapidly
drift into war which would !nevitab-
ly be great obstacle to her future
progress" The Times, in long an
| alysis of the Swedish situation. says
the war party has lost its Importance
and the people generally accept neu-
trality as the wisest course.
The vast and unprecedented traffic
over the railways OF Sweden which
prevailed during the winter and
spring has fallen off greatly. espe-
cially as regards the line to Trond-
hjem as wood shipments that way have
been stopped. The transportation bu.
reau supervising the Karung traffic
will be continued till the traffic by
water between Sweden and Finland
again becomes normal.
The central commission Of the TO-
bacco monopoly has received commu-
nications from 80 manufacturers and
companies and from 1000 individuals
who are interested in the tobacco
trade. and they all ask for damages
because their trade has been injured
by the monopoly. The government is
in partnership with this monopoly.
|
The crop prospects in Sweden are
pronounced decidedly unsatisfactory.
The unusually cold and dry spring
proved very damaging in western and
southern Sweden, especially where the
soil is light and sandy. About the
goth Of June heavy frosts visited
many parts Of the country. causing
heavy damage.
Professor Nordenskjold's collection
Of interesting scrientifc fnds In
South America are now safe In Cote.
borg. The collection was stored near
Rio dc Janeiro before the war broke
out and was saved for Sweden prin.
cipally by the vigilance Of the Swedish
consul at the South American metrop
oils.
Captain Holmberg, an officer in the
Swedish army. has invented q new
explosive Of great power. It IL called
limit and does not explode by means
Of blows or shocks, but by ignition
It is very cheap and does not need
to be incased in boxes. It will be OF
great service in blasting.
So much cotton passes through
Goteborg at this time that great care
has to be exercised to avoid confu'
sion. Importers complain that large
quantities of cotton are missing and
1t has happened that shipments have
been delivered to the wrong parties
From Jamsjo it is reported that the
crops look fine, which IS very unusual
| in Sweden this year. Many farmers
who had been in the habit Of raising
wheat put in only rye last fall on &C.
count OF the war. and the rye looks
very promising.
The government of Sweden has pur.
chased medical supplies in the sum OF
200, 900 crowns. upon the recommends.
ton of the bureau of medicine. The
war is, Of course. responsible for this
action.
Since the war broke out over 1900
horses have been exported from Swe
den. This Is regarded as fortunate
circumstance. owing to the scarcity OF
| foodstuffs for cattle and horses this
year.
The ferry traffic between Sweden
and Denmark and between Sweden
and Germany is still in charge of the
bureau established for that purpose
| at Malmo when the war began.
The steamer Sagoland brought 5000
tons of corn and bran from Buenos
Aires to Goteborg. The cargo had
been ordered by the Farmers Supply
association.