Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-03-11
IN FAR NORTHLAND
important Events in Sweden,
Norway and Denmark.
BRIEFS FROM OLD COUNTRY
interesting Itema From the Three
Great Kingdoms of the North Sc.
Ieetsd for scandInavians and
Their Descendants.
by MARTIN w. o0LAND.
Norway.

The press Of Norway Is aroused over
the destruction of several Norwegian
ships by mines and torpedoes in Ser!
many's war zone around the British
isles. and some of the, leading papers
of the country suggest that the gov
eminent ought to demand full repara-
ton from Germany. Morgenbladet,
Norways leading conservative paper.
says: I'VE presume the Norwegian
government will ask Germany to make
a declaration whether the sinking of
the Belridge was a mistake or a de-
hberate action. Presumably neutral
powers in their notes to Germany
made all reservation regarding com
pensation for life and property which
may be lost by the carrying out of the
German threat to torpedo ships with
out previous examination. II legiti.
mate claims OF neutrals to Indemnity
are refused, the respective countries
naturally viii consider the question
OF placing an embargo on German
ships lying In their various ports I'M
I'll satisfactory arrangement is made
OF this economic question" Aften-
poster declares in an editorial that
there is no longer any reason why
neutral countries should not seek
means to avert the danger menacing
shipping. and the Norwegian Journal
of Shipping and Commerce says; The
torpedoing of the Belridge Is an event
which 1t is unnecessary further to
characterize. The ship was bound
from one neutral port to another. She
had been ordered to paint the word
Norway in large letters on her sides
which surely was done. A repeti
ton of the case may easily raise the
greatest obstacles In the way of good
relations with Germany. Needless to
say, We shall not abandon the right OF
thousands OF years to sail the open
seas as neutrals."
1t is announced that Gen j. w. N
Munthe, the Morse military officer
who has been In the Chinese service
for more than a score OF years, has
been intrusted with the organization
of special division OF soldiers for
the protection of the foreign legations
In Picking, according to information re-
ceived from the Chinese capital. Due
to the European war. the legations of
the various belligert ut powers have
been all but stripped of their military
guards, and as a measure of precau-
ton the Chinese government deter,
mined upon the organization of a
special division of soldiery for service
at the legations. The task OF doing
this was put in the hands of General
Munthe. He chose as his assistants
J. c. f. Rye, a Dane, who has been
employed at the international court
in Cairo; Baron Taube, q Swedish
lieutenant, and Lieutenant Berg of the
Norwegian reserves, who for the last
four years has been employed In the
Chinese revenue service. General
Munthe has been in the personal
service Of President Yuan Shi Kai
for number of years. and Is one of
the most trusted foreign advisers OF
the Chinese government. He ranks
high as a military man. and has taken
prominent part in the reorganlza-
ton Of the Chinese army.
A Christiania dispatch says that In
spector General Nicolai Hoff. who has
been holding a high position in the
Turkish governmental service in Ar
menia, and his cabinet chief. Mr.
Blehr. have been discharged from the
Turkish service by order of the sui
tan, according to advices from the
Turkish minister in Stockholm. The
immediate reason for their discharge
Is not stated, but 1t Is presumed to be
on account of the international situa-
ton. Colonel Hon will resume his
position in the Norwegian army and
Blehr will re-enter the department of
foreign affairs Both returned to Nor
way few months ago.
1t Is reported from Christiania that
in spite of the war the attendance at
amusement places In the city has in
creased largely the present season.
Predictions were made last August
that the theaters and moving picture
shows would be tire FIRST to suffer
from the economic affect of the war.
The attendance fell of considerably
during the month of August, but since
then the attendance has been better
than for the corresponding period in
tie preceding season.
The city of Trondhjem had 49,762
Inhabitants at the beginning OF the
new year. The increase for the past
two years was about 1900.
1t is reported that stricter super.
vision of travellers has been put in
force in Norway. All hotels, livery
stations, and so forth must within "a
aours report to the police the names
II all travellers, with information con.
serning their occupation. home ad-
iress, nationality. last residence.
place OF arrival, the purpose of their
Walt and so forth. 1t is not at all
likely that this viii be popular with
foreign travellers in Norway, but mel
Their 10 1t likely that such rigid restric-
lions will be long maintained-certaln
- 81, -