The Cook County news-herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Cook County, Minn.) 1909-current, 1915-11-18
SCANDINAVIAN NEWS
SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT HAP
PENINGS IN FAR OFF
NORTHWEST.
ITEMS FROM THE OLD HOME


IN Sweden, Norway and Denmark
OF interest to tho Scandinavlans
in America.
SWEDEN.
A long semiothcial statement has
Just been published with view to re-
assuring public sentiment regarding
relations between Russia and Sweden
over the question of Russia's extensive
Notifications in the Aland islands.
The statement merely announces that
Russia informed Sweden fully regard
ing the nature and object Of these de-
fonses before beginning them. Pre-
sumably the defenses are not to be
maintained after the conclusion of
peace.
The As..hd islands are located at
the mouth of the Gulf of Both
MIA and within artillery range of
Stockholm. They have always been
source of anxiety to Sweden, lest
Russia should at any time go back
On her agreement with England and
France not to fortify them. A rumor
that Russia contemplated such forti-
tlcation created great excitement in
Sweden a few years ago, and the good
offices of the British government
were sought to induce Russia not to
take the step. Presumably Russia did
not intend it; at any rate, it was not
done.
During the last few months the
gcare has been raised again, this time
by a small political section known
as the activists. The activists urge
the continuance of neutrality by
Sweden, but urge that it be accompa-
MED by a certain pressure toward Rus
STA, to obtain as price of neutrality
certain concessions particularly re-
garding the Aland islands.
The activists were the first to call
public attention to the fact that GER
tain military preparations had been be-
gun by Russia on the islands, and they
doubtless influenced a correspondent
of Christiania newspaper to write an
article, recently published, revealing
the fact that the Russian minister had
thought it wise to assure the Swedish
foreign minister that any such meas
ures of defense would not be main
tanned after the close of the war.
What the nature Of the Russian de-
lenses is has not been stated, but they
are understood to be merely sufficient
by German warship crews who might
| use them as base for operations in
neighboring waters.
The fruitless ending of the Anglo.
Swedish negotiations, begun last July
for the Purpose of settling various
| commercial questions which are an
| outgrowth Of the war, is commented
on generally by the newspapers. Pa
pers of all shades of opinion say tina:
the outcome Of the negotiations will
not mean any Anglo-Swedish tension,
and express the hope that loyalty and
understanding of each others de-
mands, the latter in any case being a
positive result of the conversation will
enable a continuance of mercantile
connections between Sweden and
Great Britain during the war.
Several coal licenses, which have
just been granted by Great Britain tt
Sweden are said to have made a good
impression.
| The talk of new farmers expedi
ton to Stockholm will not go down
The grievance Of those who are de
handing such demonstration is thai
the middlemen take more than theil
due share out of the necessaries O.
life. The difference between the price
paid by the millers for grain and thu
price they charge for their flour i!
said to be abnormal. The bakers arr
the next in order to charge too much
for their services. It is supposed tia
the government might easily demon
strate what would be a reasonabl,
charge by handling goods between tn
| prOUucef anu the consumer.
The government is going to limi
the production. Of potato and grail
whisky to $4,000, 900 quarts for the mex
year.
The oleomargarine factories O
Sweden are we'll supplied with raw ma
terials for the balance of this year.
The Swedish Red Cross has 0rdere
600 WOODEN blankets to be used o.
the traiks carrying invalids throug
Sweden b.tv~>E Germany and Rus
STA.
King Gustaf's moose hunt at Hur
neberg was successful. Afterwards b
went to Skabersjo, where he shot ~
killed two deer.
Replying to question asked by ST
John Rees, the minister for India ha
stated that DR.. Sven Hedin still remain