The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-10
THE TRUTH ABOUT NORWAY.
A Norwegian Born citizen Corrects
Some Misstatements.

To II EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir: A
Norwegian by birth. though an Amerl-
can citizen, | have to take exception to
certain statements made by Mr.. Gun
liffe-Owen in his article in THE SUN of
January 80 will Norway and Denmark
BE Drawn Into the War" First, "She
Norway owes the restoration OF her
independence after 500 years and her
escape from the intolerable dominion of
sweden for the most part to the en-
enlargement and support given TO her
by Great Britain and bY Russia" VIII
Mr.. Cunliffe-Owen please tell from what
source he drew this Information?
When Norway separated from Dem
mark in 1914 and set up for herself.
the great Powers. Great Britain and
Russia included. Feance alone excepted.
opposed her independence and threatened
coercive measures. Can that be called
encouragement and support" And In
1905. when Norway separated from
sweden, she had been independent for
about one ed wears. Consequently
there was no question OF restoration"
OF independence or Swedish dominion"
to escape. The so-called unlon for rea-
sons that are too we'll known TO require
mention, had become impossible and was
peacefully dissolved. Encouragement and
support from abroad were neither looked
for nor needed.
The next unfounded statement Is this
at cannot he denied that all the move
rnents for Independence from Sweden
down 10 1906 received ~urage
from tho Russian Government and none
tary support from the Russian people.
Several Norwegian newspapers cham
pioning the cause of Norwegian indie
pendenye were published at Tetrograd
and were distributed thence throughout
Norway"
Denial OF this r. unnecessary. as the
impossible tale contains its own refu-
tation. Norway, having always been a
sovereign and independent country, at
all times had full control of her fiuan-
cial resources. which have invariably
been carefully managed and sufficient
for her needs. When a whole people IL
agreed and solvent, foreign brides are
not required. And to assert that brides
have been paid Norway Is an unpardon-
able slur on the good name and bright
honor Of a country which stands almos;
alone among nations as an eXemplar OF
straightforward dealing.
That Norwegian newspapers cham
pioning the cause of Norway's iudepeu-
dence had TO be published in Russia Is
also a statement that refutes itself for
the very same reason. namely, that such
n step was unnecessary. Norway's Con
t'ANIk o1f ~ INC AA''EA IL ~
world. the Norwegian press enjoys fun
liberty at home and needs no shelter
abroad. And no foreign country, Swe-
den Included. could possibly interfere
with the publication OF Norway's news
papers.
Equally un'ounded - NJ. CuuliNe-
owens statement that "whenever Riorn-
~stjerne Bj6rnson and other Norwegian
patriots became involved in trouble with
49, q. r-t,, I.,,. 7 n,t .Ar. glvaaI
to leave their native aud IN order to
escape Imprisonment they invariably
found not only refuge but an extremely
friendly welcome on the banks % the
Neva-"
The only persons In Norway in dan
ger OF Imprisonment for political rea-
sons were King Oscars OWL councillors,
who were i~mpcached for having advised
Inn to disregard the will of the people.
And neither Ij6ruSon nor any other
Norwegian ever had trouble with KIM
land for political reasons. There is ah-
solute liberty o. speech IN NORWAY. and
= King oscar II. had ever been foolish
enough 10 interiors with the constitu-
tIonal freedou and rights OF Norwegian
citizens the King would probably have
been forced 70 leave the "ount-r. VIII
MIR. tuu.iffe-pwcu give tie name &c a
S.Ns4r NN|N t-4ts4 WHO Joy 1nllIlfti rem
sons hid 20 seek refuge on the banks OF
the Neva az anywhere else?
Again I say. such a thing is imposs'-
bic because unnecessary. Consequently
It does not NATURALLY follow that the
Norweg.ans should 10 this day retain a
great liking for the Russians" That
there Is sympathy with the great Rus
sian people IN itS struggle az home ard
abroad is not 20 be wondered AZ. a SYM
patty that Is dsepened bv appreciation
OF the eminent qualities OF that remark
ably gifted race.
According 20 NJ. CunlnaAwen the
NorweE.ans ara So thoroughly demo-
cratic tina they will not address their
own King and Queen with due aspect,
but approach them with MI King and
Mrs. Queen This silly statement would
hardly deserve refutation were IL not
that such things are read and believed.
II probably originated n ignorance ~
the Norwegian language and consequent
inability to understand tho distinction
between the two words Herr and
HERE Tho frst means Mister the
second Lord" When the Norwegiars
address their King as Here kong.'
they are calling him mt "Mr King hut
Lord King a most diGnired and stately
expression. but IN spite Of Mr.. Cum
lTe-Owen's assertion 10 the contrary.
Tho usual mode or addressing the King
and Queen is "pcres Majestae',' You
Majesty"
Norwegian titles Of nobility do not
exist. Nobility having been abolished
in Norway IN 1871, nobody Is alive who
might claim title % nobility
other inaccuracies in NJ. Cunlire-
owens article, AS. for instance. the state
mcut about King Charles NN.' wealth,
need not Ne dwclt upon. Allow me To
point out. however, that the picture az
Tia, kinE ~ D'tiuar!; shows him 81 a
foreign uniform. Why not select "A pho
'ograph showing him :" the uniform 81
his own country? Oscar Sissr%EEE.
NEW YORK. February ..