The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-05

voters taxed for more than 1000
kronen or for large estates In 1914 a
new constitution was before the
to twenty-five and opening the
polls to women on the same
terms as men. These regula-
lions are already in force in the
communal elections. The established
church Is the Evangelical Lutheran,
OF which the King must be a member.
Iceland has a parliament of her own,
the Althing. and its chief magistrate
IL a Minister Of the Danish Govern
ment. When wal broke out in 1914
Iceland sent n steam vessel to New
York bearing herring for sale and
bringing back wheat. Thus a new
trade route was opened. as this IL said
to have been the first vessel sailing
direct from Iceland to an American
port since the days OF the early Morse
voyages to America.
Denmark IL one of the richest coun-
tries per capita in Europe. II has
undergone since 1864 almost completes
material regeneration. This has been
brought about primarily by agricul-
ture, on the one hand through recla-
nation Of racts OF desolate land. on the
other by intensive farming. As re-
narkable as has been the success OF
retaining the heath lands ard re-
planting them, II is no greater than
the success attained by scientific
carrying and cooperative societies. 1t
has made a country one-tenth the size
nf Catfnrnia tho tarv., q
butter among all nations. In 1911
l97,63i, 900 pounds OF butter was ex-
ported from Denmark. The members
of the cooperative creamery of Dem
mark raised money by individual loans
to establish their first in
Olgod. II employed an expert to run
the creamery, who received a commits
sion on profits as well as a salary.
Cooperative milk societies are organ
lied now all over Denmark. Every
thing Is done to encourage individual
EFFORT as well as uniformity OF quail
lily. The state conducts experiments
in the Royal Agricultural Institute.
and according to the statistics Of 1904
Denmark has more domestic animals n
square kilometer than any other ma
ton in the world.
Some results OF the careful scien-
tific methods applied to agricui-
ture are the cow testing asso-
citation. the bacon societies, the egg
export society and the cheese societies.
The egg exporting society. for ex-
ample Is made UP Of a large number
OF local associations. each representing
at least ten members who collect and
orward eggs to a given point. The
eggs are stamped with the producers
number, and members are fined five
kronen for a single bad egg. Thus in
England Danish Eggs bring fancy
prices. The institution OF colony gar
dens brings the country to the city.
These gardens are plots Of unused lane
lease by cooperative societies and
divided into strips OF 20 feet wide from
90 to 100 feet deep and rented at low
prices for vegetable and flower gar
dens to the poor. Here city workers
rest n frolic In the evenings. On
entering a city the colony gardens are
the first attraction to the stranger.
The nation is remarkably thrifty.
Every shop girl has a bicycle. There is
practically no real poverty and no
great display OF wealth. The cost OF
living In the country is comparatively
low. While the eight hour labor law
does not obtain. work is rarely bur-
densome or exhausting. In Copenhagen
fewer people are confined to one room
than in any other city in Europe OF the
same size. The Danish w%orkingman
shows tho ~ antftVIn fnr .a,.. -..rt.
as the farmer. and they are pioneers in
social betterment work. Legislation
is indeed largely socialistic. II So
cial democracy has been the han
die, the radical party has been
the head of the hammer thai has
driven idealistic legislation through
the Rigsdag. The number Of trade
unions is about forty-five. and in
cludes serving maids, farmhands
and practically every vocation. Old age
pensions as they obtain in Denmark
are said 10 have served as a model for
the old age pension bill in England. In
fact, Denmark is well on the way to
the total adjustment of poverty and
the fear of living.
The standard of education is high
and methods are enlightened. Accord.
ing to United States immigration re.
ports in 1909 Scandinavia showed a
lower percentage Of illiteracy than
any other country, not excepting Scot.
land.
Despite cooperation, socialism. in.
dustrialism. technical research, WON.
ans emancipation and other concom.
itants Of modernism. home life in Den.
mark retains its old fashioned charm
Its women are celebrated for gentle.
ness, and their speech is likened by 8
German writer to forest murmurs. anC
their laughter is a audible smile.
Though all girls attend gymnastiC
classes and learn to swim and skat,
and play hockey, the women of Den,
mark are excellent home makers. TIL,
period Of engagement for marriage /,
invariably given to the study of house,
wifery, The prospective wife attend.
a school of domestic science and /,
taught to cook and sew and to buy
intelligently.
The early literature OF Denmark
though 1t may miss the majesty ant
eXaltation Of the Hebrew literature
and the glory that was Greece ant
the grandeur that was Rome, has 6
passionate intensity and graphic brew,
ity OF its own. In the Eddas and thu
Sagas one meets that spirit Of brood
ing introspection, dark and rue anC
tender" that n looks for from Ham
let's compatriots. OF recent writer.
Denmark has given us Hans Chris.
tian Andersen, Brandes, Jacobsen, al