The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-06
Norwegians, Trading With Both Eng
land and Germany, Are Fast Becom-
inc Millionaires Out of the War

Government would provoke the street
Commissioner in New York to civic
shame because Of their simplicity. NJ.
knudsen. a strongly built man close Oh
10 seventy. with a kindly face. spoke
excellent English. MS do most OF the edu-
Gated people In Norway. For more than
an hour he discussed the merits and the
defects OF his country's Government. but
like a good diplomat paired well when
the subject of the war was mentioned.
Another view OF the situation was
given to me b. NJ. Kringen, an editor OF
the Social Demokratcn. the leading
Socialis. paper In Norway. VI. kringen.
a shaggy unkempt man who looks like
an ana rchist, Is one OF Norway's fore
most thinkers He vas at one time the
leader OF the Socialist party. but he could
not agree with some OF their principles.
particularly the anti-miliar!stic plat
form on which they stood at the last
elections. and he has broken away from
the party. VI. Kringen In strongly pro-
German. n he declared that Norway
kept out OF the war merely because she
could not better her position. Sweden.
he said, being the best equipped OF the
Scandinavian nations. was ready and
willing TO step into the war at the proper
moment when her strength would turn
N'' - ~ v -"
this moment came Norway would be
forced TO follow Sweden's cad.
Norway with a population Of $500, 900
can put about 800, 900 men into the field.
tNer since the beginning OF the war a
part 81 the army has been modified, but
as there has been very little danger of
a sudden attack on the country the mobi-
lized forces were gradually depleted until
only a small force remains. The need,
however. of greater forces on both land
and sea In order to prevent any en-
I c~ruachments upon the neutrality OF the
country soon became apparent, and the
elections last fall were fought out alons
these lines. The Socialists caine out
strongly IN opposition to the plan Of an
increase in armament, while the other
two parties, the Conserv atives and the
Radicals, supported the increase pro-
posed by the Radical Government.
Women Favor Preparedness.
was particularly Interested In study
ing the effect of the female vote on the
preparedness question. Full rights of
suffrage for women were obtained prior
could learn the women OF Norway In
the elections last fall were as
eager for Strengthening the coun-
try's defences an the men.
Norway IL "A much more democratic
country than Sweden. Sweden has its
nobility, its landed gentry and its snob-
bishness. while In Norway all men have
been equal since 1914. when the last
title was abolished, although the last
| title died out in 1870. Haakon VII. is
the ideal ruler for the Norwegians, be-
cause Of his own democratic ideas. The
King has no more powers han George
V. OF England the Government rules
and the King accedes TO the Govern
ment's will, Haakon lives among his
people almost as a guest. He may be
seen at any time Of the day on the street
or IN tho shops, lie may be visited at
his palace by most any one except an
American peace delegate. Haakon him.
self IL said tO he intensely pro- English,
due perhaps To the influence of the
Queen.
one good example Of the democracy
OF the Norwegians Is the recent pro-
mitigation Of a law fixing the status Of
illegitimate children. OF whom there are
many In the country In fact. u larger
percentage han elsewhere IN Scandin-
avia. The father of the bill was NJ.
rasberK. a radical among Radicals. and
his measure has caused widespread dis.
satisfaction. The law puts the ilIeKltl-
mate child On the same footing AZ the
legitimate. particularly with regard 10
Inheritance n name. Strong opposi-
] ton to the measure was developed, but
1t became q law and 10 likely to stand.