Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-05-25
important Events In Sweden,
Norway and Denmark.
BRIEFS FROM OLD COUNTRY
Interesting ltems From The Three
Great Kingdoms OF the North Sc
lsetsd for scandInavians and
Their Descendants.
BY MARTIN w. oDLAND.
Norway.


fields in Spitzbergen estimate that the
output Of coal will be sufficient to
make Norway independent Of foreign
countries for its coal supply. Nor
mally, however. says Christiania
newspaper, coal from this source will
be shipped only to the northern half
of Norway, the transportation cost
restricting shipments beyond this dis
lance. It is estimated that the newly
acquired fields can be made to yield
100000 tons normally each year. Much
preliminary work will have to be done
In opening and extending mines, but
1t is expected that the output In 1917
will reach $4,000 tons, and thereafter
steadily increasing amounts every
year. About 600 or 500 men will b
employed at the mines. The shipping
problem presents greater difficulties
than the mining itself, on account of
the comparatively short season OF
open navigation. Sailings begin In
June and continue until in October,
the whole shipping season being esti-
mated at 100 days. In the terms OF
the purchase of the fields is included
10000 tons of mined coal. which lies
ready for shipment at the American
mines Special importance ia attached
to the acquisition Of the Spitzbergen
fields for the reason that 1t will en-
able Norway to meet the increased
price of coal which England proposes
to impose on exported coal as means
Of paying the expenses OF the present
war.
A cablegram from Christiania to
the Associated Press says that to I'M
derstand Norway's position during the
war II Is necessary to remember the
prominent part that the country's
merchant navy is playing in its eco
nomic life. In 1913 the total of freights
carried by Norway's ships in foreign
trade was 21e,so0,o0O crowns (about
SIS, 563, 000), while the total value OF
all crops was 222,000,oo0 crowns. The
freights for 1915 amounted to at least
four times as much as those OF nor
NAL times, and the proceeds OF the
fisheries probably to more than twice
as much as for 1918. Pro-English sen
timent in Norway is rapidly waning,
because of the difficulties placed In
the way of obtaining goods from other
countries, especially from the United
States. But 1t Is not England alone
that is imposing these bonds, for Ger
many seems to be doing what she can,
having, for instance, repeatedly cap
tured neutral ships on their way from
one of the Scandinavian countries to
another. And the losses suffered by
this country from submarine warfare
are heavy. Within a little more than
a week three Norwegian ships-the
Silus, the Langeli and the Kannik--
have been torpedoed by German sub
marines while lying peacefully at an
Choir, no notice being given in any Of
the cases.
The loss In efficiency of the Morse
navy in recent years, it is reported
from Christiania, is brought to the
attention OF the storthing in the re-
port on the naval budget by the mill
tary committee The report shows
that of the 40 torpedo boats In service
only third have been built since
1900, while several date from the
eighties. Some OF the gunboats are
up to 40 years old and the coast de-
4
mittee states that the necessity Of
keeping the entire naval force of the
country in active service for the
maintenance of neutrality has accel-
Grated the rate Of depreciation of the
ships, and calls for prompt appropria-
mands of upkeep and new construc-
ton.
A dispatch from Christiania says
that Miss Gina Krog, leader for a
generation OF the woman's rights
movement In Norway, died Friday,
April H. at the age OF 60 years.
Miss Krog came into public notice
as a suffrage champion In 1884, when
she wrote a magazine article on THE
Suffrage Movement and It's Immediate
Aims" In the same year she organ
lied a woman's rights association.
which became the moving power in
the long struggle that eventually re-
suited in granting to the women Of
Norway political rights on an equal
ity with the men.
The population Of Christiania in
creased 5000 from February /, 1915.
to February !, 1916, being 253,500 On
the latter date. according to official
estimates.
The contract for Road Amundsen's
new polar ship has been let to Chris
tianta Jensen of Asker, a well-known
yacht builder. 1t will be very small
ship, of only 100 tons capacity. and
VIII be equipped with motor power
ana schooner rigging. 1t will be COM
sa.ed by The end Of this year.