Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-08-23
SCANDINAVIAN NEWS
SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT HAP.
PENINes IN FAR OFF
NoRTHLAND.
ITEMS FROM THE OLD HOME
Resume of the Most Important Events
in Sweden, Norway and Denmark
Of Interest &c the SeandinaVians
in America.

There exists in Scandinavia feel
ing among government officials and
commercial interests that the Ameri-
can people as a whole do not fully
comprehend the British blockade.
They assert that in tightening its
''ring of steel" around Germany Great
Britain has arbitrarily put the three
neutral countries of northern Europe
con rations."
The British officials in charge of the
blockade permit these countries to
have only what the officials think they
should have. not what the countries
proclaim they need.
In the case of Norway and Denmark
the "rations.' basis Is maintained by
agreement. In the case of Sweden 1t
is enforced by British sea power, by
seizure of neutral ships at sea and
detention of goods In English harbors.
There are many evidences Of In
creasing resentment against Great
Britain on the part of the Swedish
people. The newspapers are begin
ming to comment more and more freely
upon what they say is a practice IN
violation Of all international law--a
fragrant misuse of power against the
unquestionable rights of weaker ma
ticns."
Swedish government officials and
Swedish merchants alike do not hest
tate TO say they have hoped against
hope the United States would take a
stand In behalf of the neutral coun-
tries which would bring about a more
reasonable enforcement of the block
ade. They have protested in vain to
Great Britain and have endeavored to
take such retaIiatory steps as were at
Sweden's command. But they realize
Sweden is in no position and has nei-
Their the resources nor the military
importance to gain favorable consid-
GRAFTON.
scandinavian newspapers and Off
cials argue that the United States has
a most potent weapon to use against
the allies to bring about "a more law
full conduct of the blockade" They
firmly believe that If the United States
government would threaten to forbid
the export Of munitions of war and
TO declare unlawful any loans to bel
ligerent nations, England would quick
ly be brought TO terms.
The Scandinavians would be per
fectly willing, they say, to let America
dictate the conditions Of the blockade:
they do not feel they should be left
arbitrarily to the viii Of Great Britain.
One effect of the blockade has been
TO place food supplies in the hands Of
spectators who are demanding exor-
bitant prices for their wares. A great
majority Of these spectators are said
% be Germans This Is particularly
true of coffee. No people in all the
world love their coffee like the
Swedes, Already they are paying
practically double the normal price for
it with quotations daily Ieaping up
ward, ..eas K >s.4~a~N
Sweden still is able to get large
quantities Of coal and briquette fuel
from Germany, and It is in exchange
for this very essential Import that the
Swedish government allows the export
of iron ores and various food supplies
TO Germany. German commerce still
fourishes In the south Baltic waters.
although the recent activities Of Eng
lish and Russian submarines and de-
stroyers sent a thrill of apprehension
through the various trading interests.
The second anniversary Of the world
war was observed August through
the whole Of Scandinavia. Two hun
bred peace meetings were held In Den
mark and 300 in Sweden. At the
churches bells We're rung and prayers
said for peace.