Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-09-20
SCANDINAVIAN NEWS
SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT HAP
PENINcS IN FAR OFF
NoRTHLAND.
ITEMS FROM THE OLD HOME
Resume of the Most Important Events
in Sweden, Norway and Denmark
OF Interest TO the Scandinavians
In America.
NORWAY.

The Norwegians are using part of
the riches which they are p.ling up
during the war as means of gaining
the control of industrial establish
ments which had been started by for
eign capitalists. One of the most
noted of such establishments is the
Borregaard factories, near Sarpsborg.
II is realized that such concerns breed
lot of wOrkmen who are not patriot
ic NOrwegians. The Borregaard prop
erty is really a thorn in the flesh of
liberty-loving Norwegians. The peo-
pie of the community have mustered
handsome majority against the saloon
of the place. But the English propri-
etors have always been backed by the
courts of Norway to the effect that the
Borregaard liquor license Is a vested
right" which cannot be taken away un-
less the one who holds 1t Is willing
TO let 1t go. If the Norwegians OBJ
tain a majority of the stocks of the
company 1t seems to be a foregone
conclusion that the win of the people
of the community shall prevail with
regard to this saloon. The property
includes vast forests and must be
worth $10,O00,0OO or S12,O00.O00.
DR.. Anton Nystrom, noted Swedish
pacifist, has been visiting in Norway
for the purpose of ascertalning the
manner in which King Karl XII of
Sweden was killed at the fortress of
Fredriksten, Norway, 200 years ago.
Doctor Nystrom agrees with those who
claim that the great war-klng was as
sassinated by Frenchman, and some
Swedes. This is an old story, and does
not call for any special comment But
the picture which he draws of the
character Of King Karl XII is certain
ly enough 70 stagger eny good Swede.
According to Doctor Nystrom King
Karl was no hero; he was the worst
king that Sweden ever had; and his
memory does not deserve to be hon
ored by the Swedish people. And his
''marauding trip" into Norway should
be forgotten, the sooner the better.
Therefore his monument at Fred
Kristen should be removed.
The people of Norway are taking
an interest in the filling of the soil
which no one expected a few years
ago. According to an old Saying Ito
cultivate the soil is to worship God"
AS a matter of fact, there are thou
sands of Norwegians who are taking
to the filling of the soil with some
thing like a religious enthusiasm. In
some schools il is almost a craze. But
the hard-headed business men of the
country are also backing the move
ment. bank has been established
for the special benefit of people who
want TO buy lots or farms. Il is flnan-
cially backed by the communes. Bonds
have been offered to the amount of So
100000. The investments are perfect
ly safe, for the bank is controlled by
the national government. The gov
eminent is encouraging the invest
ment - the estates of minors In this
bank.
Inc mouse rent IS sun cllEfDlnR IN
the Norwegian capital. As a striking
proof of the situation 1t is mentioned
that a man has advertised In the news
papers that he is willing TO pay up
wards of $500 a year for a suite of
four or five rooms. Such advertise
ments are of course great encour-
agemept to house owners, who are
ready l. squeeze the last penny they
can gel out OF their tenants
Oscar Mathiesen, the Norwegian
champion skater, is going to visit
America next winter He will be
here some time before the opening of
the season, in order to become famll-
lar with the ways of the people Of
the new world. He admits that he
expects TO find a number of worthy
competitors His family win remain
In Norway, and he expects TO return
home next spring.