Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-08-16
SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT HAP
PENINGS IN FAR OFF
NoRTHLAND.
ITEMS FROM THE OLD HOME
Resume Of the Most important Events
in Sweden, Norway and Denmark
Of Interest to the Scandinavians
in America.
SWEDEN.

returned from a years stay in Swe-
| den, has the following to say on the
| political situation: The holding up
Of the Swedish mails, the learning of
| the Swedish trade secrets through the
malls. the blacklist, the search of pas
| sengers into the country, the limita-
| ton of trade with Germany, the de-
mand that British officers be allowed
| in the country to supervise the dis
tribution of imports-all these things
and many more, have served to fan
dislike of England. The Swedes thor
oughly admire the French. They rath-
er fear Russia. The fear and anger In
Sweden following the terrifying of the
Aaland islands by Russia has died
down. The danger of Sweden's par
ticipati0n in the war against Russia
has likewise decreased. But the ques-
ton has not died. Russia fortified
the islands In violation of an old
agreement with Sweden. She did so
on the grounds Of expediency in the
war. With the islands armed, she can
absolutely prevent the movement Of
Swedish ships in the upper Baltic.
After the war. Sweden understands
that Russia will demolish the fortitica-
tons. But Russia has not said that
she will. This situation may mean
big trouble in the future. AS between
victory for the allies and a German
triumph, Swedes would prefer the lat
ter. Victory for the allies would mean
Russian expansion. It will mean
hard trade war with England, and the
struggle against ambitious British
commercial dominance.
Although Sweden is largely pro-
German In the war, there Is much pro-
ally sentiment there. The anti-Eng-
lish feeling Is more solid Norway is
rather pro-ally. The great increase
In Swedish imports from America is
pointed to as proof by England that
Sweden Is carrying on a great trade
with Germany. This IS not true de-
duction. Sweden is selling to Russia
as well as Germany. Moreover, much
of the importing is for home eonsump-
ton and is OF goods that were former
ly obtained in the warning countries.
However, it Is true that there is con-
siderable trade with Germany. Ger
man can be heard almost any time
on the streets Of Stockholm. This
is nearly true of Russian. however,
and In a measure French. Stockholm
has become the meeting place Of the
peoples. governments and merchants
- 81. Il Fe ed shnN
there are from 10000 to 10000 visitors
there all the time. The German mer-
chant boats come In fleets OF six or
so and are escorted to the Swedish
! territory by German torpedo boats
and cruisers. Sweden, similar to Amer
lea. is enjoying commercial prosper
ity through the war However, this
prosperity is sound and was fact be-
/ fore the war. and would have been
/ great had there been no war. Swe-
! den Is having a great Industrial devel
/ opment The engineer Is the man of
the hour now This prosperity is not
augmented by munition manufacture
profits. Sweden put the ban on NUM-
! ton exports at the beginning. 1t can
not understand Americas neutrality,
which has allowed munition factories
to spring up all over the country. Nor
does Sweden understand why the
| United States does not protest against
the blockade which so meanly inter
feres with the mails sweden Is dis
appointed In the United States on this
stand"
K. o. BONNER, a noted Stockholm
publisher, donated $1,000 to the pen
sion fund Of his employees on the oc-
casion of his sIxtieth birthday.
| About 1000 young people held pa
| triotie and religious meeting at Haga
on Midsummer day The main speak
or was Prof. a. A. Stomberg of the
University of Minnesota.
The estate of the late Premier Karl
Staff has been valued at about $780,
900.
The forestry department has an
nOunceQ thaI lne government forests
VIII yield about 10000 cords Of wood
this year.
Smaland expects to get big crop
Of lingon berries this year.
Rev. Jonas Arbman Of DOderhult
has served as a minister Of the church
of Sweden for a period of fifty years
President Wilson asked Swedish
Premier Hammarskjold TO be the fifth
e commissioner under the Bryan peace
: treaty with China. One commission
er remains to be chosen.
The combined Income ant property
taxes OF Stockholm are 81 .5O0,O Ot
higher this year than last year. Tn,
) to.al for this year is about $4,000. 600
In Dalarne cord of hirchwooC
t brings as much as So a price which
= people never dreamed of few year,
ago.
An extension course of lectures last