Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-03-30
important Events in Sweden,
Norway and Denmark.
BRIEFS FROM OLD COUNTRY
Interesting Items From the Three
Great Kingdoms of the North Sc
lected for scandinavians and
Their Descendants.
BY MARTIN w. ODLAND.
NORWAY.


IL Is expected that trade between
the United States and Norway. Swe-
den and Denmark will be facilitated
by a plan recently adopted by the
British government at the suggestion
OF Mr. Skinner, the United States con
sul-general at London. Under this
plan d bureau OF information will be
established by the British embassy at
Washington to advise American ex-
porters of the proha biIity Of unimped-
ed traffic through the British block
ade. Mr.. Skinner made the sugges-
ton last fall during q visit at Wash
ngt0n and the matter was taken up
with the British government. The
british embassy at Washington has
issued the following order to the Brit
ish consular officers In the United
States. which Is self-eXplanatOry and
shows how commerce between Amer
lea and the scandinavian countries
will he facilitated. 1T has been rep
resented to his majesty's government
that it would be OF service TO Ameri-
can exporters intending to ship goods
to scandinavian countries Norway,
Sweden and Denmark IL before ship
| ment they could ascertain through
some British authority in the United
States, whether their prospective ship
| ment would be regarded to unObjec-
tionable under the British military
| regulation. Arrangements have ac-
Jn oh, bJa
| information through an office estab-
| lished Professionally at the embassy
| which will be authorized to issue to
applicants in satisfactory cases, GER
| titicates designed to facilitate the
passage of their shipments through
! the British naval patrol.
During the last few years American
motor cars have become the most pop
| ular in Norway and their sale in
creases from year to year. says the
| American Norwegian Trade Review
Formerly, continues the Review. Ger
| man cars dominated the market and
| sold at from 80 To - per cent higher
| than American makes Because uf
their cheaper price and excellent con.
| struction. American cars row prac-
tically control the trade and all classes
| Of American makes are represented
here. The low import duty OF only l.
| per cent ad valorem Is a further in
| centivs to their importation. Motor
| cars for route traffic. seating more
| than four passengers. and freight mo-
| tors ttnotor trueks) suitable for use
In time of war, may be admitted under
| special conditions, at per cent ad
| vaiorem. The one obstacle in the way
of a more rapid development Of this
trade is the American manufacturers
| demand that payment be made in the
| United States at time of shipment. II
cars could be shipped c. /. {. Christi
| ania, considerably larger number
| could be sold. The urcylinder cars
| have heretofore enjoyed the greatest
| poi uIarity, but the eight.cylinder cal
is gradually growing in favor and its
sale is on the increase.
The imports from Norway to the
United States in the month Of Decem
Der, 1914, amounted TO $935,180; in
December, 1915. they had dropped tC
only $+&6,I33. scarcely more than one
half The exports from the United
States To Norway in December, 1914
We're Sc. 046, 902, ard in Decerber
1915, they were $4,657.e54. These fig
ures show All increasing balance O
trada in favor OF the United State:
which Is greatly deplored by Norwe
gian economists. The great falling Of
In the exports Of Norway to America /!
due to the exorbitant prices which
the beiligerent countries are oferins
for Norwegian goods, especially foot
products-prices much higher than til,
| United States In willing tn lay. It il
/ | feared that the result will bs tina
after the war the Norwegian eXpurters
will have hard work regaining tht
, | trade they have lost In the United
States and there are those Who be-
lieve that it would be better for them
. to Sell their goods in America now a
, lower price than they obtain in Flu
rope. The increase i'll the imports
J from the United States to Norway il
i due TO the inability Of Norwegian i'm
I porters to obtain IN Europe what Nor
, way has to buy abroad.