Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-07-08
IN FAR NORTHAND
important Events In Sweden,
Norway and Denmark.
BRIEFS FROM OLD COUNTRY
interesting Items From the Three
Great Kingdoms Of the North Sc.
iected for Scandlnavlans and
Their Descendants.


Norway.
Special correspondence from Chris
tiania say that four hundred persons,
mostly Americans or former residents
OF the United States, gathered on May
30. Memorial day, at the Lincoln monu-
ment In Frogner park, and there con-
Quoted the first exercises in memory
of the fallen soldiers in the American
Civil war. Among the participants
were Christian Berner, former presi-
dent of the storthing, and two vet
Grams of the war. Messrs. Grimsby and
Grorud. The exercises were arranged
by the American club and were con-
Quoted by President Blessum. Albert
u. Schmedeman, United States minis
ter to Norway, was the principal speak
ar. He was followed by Christian Ber-
ner. who on behalf of Nordmands For
bundet, urged that the day annually
be observed in Norway. He pro-
nounced a eulogy on Abraham Lin
coin and at the conclusion Of his re-
marks a large laurel wreath bound In
the American colors was placed at the
foot Of the monument. A telegram
Of greeting was SEM to Gov. L. b.
Hanna of North Dakota. who present
ed the monument to Norway in the
name Of the people of North Dakota,
at the centennial jubilee, May II, 1914.
The commission for foreign affairs
of Norway has come forward with a
proposal that Norway's consular repre-
%sentation In America and Australia
be greatly increased. 1t recommends
that the consulate at Montreal, Can
ada, be raised to a general consulate;
that a salaried consulate be estab-
lished in the central portion of the
United States. at Chicago or Mime
apolis: that a salaried consulate be
also established in the western part
of the United States, at San Francis
co or Seattle; that a secretary be add
ed to general consulate at Rio de
Janeiro; that a salaried general gen.
eral consul be sent to Buenos Aires,
together with a secretary; that a sal
aried vice consul be sent to Chile;
that a salaried consul general be sent
TO Melbourne, Australia, to replace the
vice consul there. To carry out these
recommendations would mean an In
g of 10000 crowns in the ex-
peDditures Of the foreign department
OF Norway. That such changes are
under consideration is evidence OF
the commercial awakening of Norway
that has been apparent in recent
years, especially after the outbreak
of the European war.
The interesting news comes from
Christiania that a representative OF
the Greek government, Constantin
P~oulopoulos, is visiting the principal
cities Of Norway for the purpose oil
establishing better trade conditions be-
tween Greece and Norway. There
has Hitherto been no direct ship con-
nections between the two countries
and commerce has therefore been rem
dered difficult. This how.
ever, the Thorsen steamship company
will make the experiment of having
some Of its Mediterranean boats call
at Epirus, and Ii a sufficient cargo is
obtainable this port will be made a
regular stopping plant for the line.
The first Norwegian ship to carry Nor
wegian goods to Epirus was the st.
Miguel, which left Bergen the first
part of juno.
Last year 1t was freely predicted
that the European var would have a
stimulating effect upon emigration
from Europe to America, on the
theory that the people of the old world |
would wish to seek refuge from flu.
ture International strife In the new
world. where peace reigns supreme.
Statistics show that 80 far as Nor.
way Is concerned, this prediction has |
not come true. On the contrary, emil
grafton from Norway to America has
fallen OF, and the passenger ships
from Norway are not carrying their
limit OF emigrants. The falling OF In
emigration is attributed to the good
times prevailing in Norway, to the
dangers OF a sea voyage at this time
and to the stories Of unemployment In
America, especially in Canada.
At n meeting in Odda, attended by
three hundred prominent business men
and others, a resolution was adopted
urging the residents of Stavanger
county and southern Bergenshus to
raise funds as speedily as possible for
the e Haugesun-Odda railway.
The government statisticians report
that at the close Of the year 1914 the
total railway mileage in Norway was
l,se5, ar increase of nearly so miles
during the year. About a25 miles are
under construction. ~
Three-fourths Of the country's rail.
way mileage IL owned by the govern.
The total amount of cap,taa
invested was about $50. 900, 900. or au1
proxfmately $4,000 per mile.
During the past year 10 persons