Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-02-03
in FAR NORTHLAND.
important Events In Sweden,
Norway and Denmark.
BRIEFS FROM OLD COUNTRY
Interesting Items From the Three
Great klnodoms Of the North g.
tscted for Scandlnavlans and
Their Descendants.
BY MARTIN w. oDLAND.
Sweden.

Sweden.
The Swedish parliament, or rigsdAg,
opened January II. and the speech
which King Gustaf delivered from the
throne was heard with intense interest
In view of the critical situation III
which Sweden has been placed ON &C
count OF the war. He took strong
stand for national defense. insisting on
both stronger army and navy. "A
formidable struggle OF ever-increasing
Intensity. which win decide the future
Of nations. Is taking place." he said.
Our government earnestly hopes to
be able always to maintain the neutral
tty which Ii decided to observe from
the beginning OF the war. but In order
to maintain neutrality and the SOW
ereignty OF Sweden, increased forces
on land and sea must be In readiness.
Sweden has felt the effects OF the war
In numerous ways during the last
year. Belligerents have neglected In
an ever.increasing degree to observe
international law provided for prCtec-
tion OF neutrals and Cor limitation OF
leeds OF violence" King Gustaf em-
phasized Sweden's part In Lphrlding
International law and the constant DIFF
hculties sho la meeting In obtaining
her economic rights on account OF the
attitude OF beliigerehts. The govern
ment had been compelled mere than
once. he said, to resist attempts to
place the industrial and commercial
rights OF the country under the
usurped control OF another power. On
account OF these conditions, King Gus
INF asserted II was necessary to carry
on vigorously the task OF providing for
national defense Hc said the govern
ment would ask parliament to appoint
special delegates for the purpose Of
discussing national questions OF ac.
cret nature with the executive branch.
Poltiken OF Copenhagen. says cor.
respondent OF the Exchange Tele-
graph company, Ia authority for the
statement that King Gustafs speech
from the throne awakened considera.
BILE anxiety throughout Sweden. The
situation, says the correspondent, liz a
source of concern In Stockholm, the
correspondent says, on account OF tho
seizure by the Britiah last week OF a
large quantity OF provisions from the
Swedish.American steamship stock
holm from New York for Stockholm.
The action of the British authorities
is criticized sharply by the Swedish
press, which expresses the opinion that
the value of the goods seized cannot
be regarded as anything like an ado
quate Offset to the effect OF the incl
dent on relations between Sweden and
Great Britain. Some OF the Swedish
newspapers state that such actions are
worse than an open rupture. Hialmar
Branting. Socialist leader In tha sec.
und Swedish chamber. who recently
visited the allied front In Flanders, III
quoted by the Social Demokraten as
saying that he prefers decisive action
day too early rather than a day too
late, In order to save Sweden from
complications. 1T Ii noted that King
Gustaf. in his speech from. the
throne, did not make the usual refer
once to the good relations Of Sweden
with foreign powers,' tho correspond
ent adds. Several Interpretations nn
foreign affairs ars expected during the
session"
The commencement OF business Of
the new Swedish-American steamship
line was duly celebrated on board the
coinpany's first ship, the Stockholm.
4 dinner was served, at which were
present prominent members of tho
government and other potables. Min
lister Hammerskjold was the principal
speaker, dwelling at length upon the
Importance OF eniarging Sweden .
merchant marine in order that the
country's commerce may be independ.
ent Of foreign interests.
The Swedish steamer Kepler has
been abandoned In sinking condi
ton. It's crew was rescued.
The Forahammar mines In Vegtman-
land, which have been shut down for
some years, will be reopened, q com
pany, with adequate capital, having Ia
ken hold Of the important work This
IL the biggest undertaking started In
Sweden for some time.
The government Of Sweden Ia con-
stantly adding to the list OF articles
which cannot be exported from the
country, some OF the articles recently
added being cotton, wool, leather. oils,
metals, coal. wooden garments Of va
rious kinds, canvas, hemp. gold, silver,
and different kinds OF machinery.
The memorial medal of the Swedish
academy for the year 1915 was coined
In honor OF Prior Petrus de Davia.
the FIRST Swedish author, whose b.
cgraphy was written by Mr.. Scbyck
Petrus do Dacia was born In Gott-
land, presumably about the year 1890,
and died in 1883, as prior " the Visby
Dominican monastery.