Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-02-21
SCANDINAVIAN NEWS
SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT HAP.
PENINGs IN FAR OFF
NoRTHLAND.
ITEMS FROM THE OLD HOME
Resume of the Most important Events
In Sweden, Norway and Denmark
OF Interest to the Seandinavians
In America.
SWEDEN.


On account Of the heavy emigra-
| ton Sweden has 10000 old people
above the natural proportion. At the
close of the year 1918, the normal num-
Der OF persons between the ages of
sixty-five and seventy should have
been ,23S, while the actual number
was 166.333; the normal number of
those between seyenty-fiye and eighty
years should have been 81, 2T3, and the
actual number was 90. 29S; the normal
number of persons between eighty aud
eighty-fiye years should have been %,
597, the actual number was 81 ,552 :
and for those above the age of eighty
five the numbers were $500 and 25,-
O5S, respectively. 1t is not difficult to
see what this means from az eeonomi-
cal point of view. If those who have
emigrated from Sweden during the
past 90 years had remained at home it
stands to reason that they would have
supported the 10000 supernumerary
old people.
Swedish shipOwners and underwrit-
ers are taking an expectant attitude
with regard to the German blockade
threats. Some owners have instructed
their vessels to return home or pro-
coed TO the nearest safe port until
further orders. The belief is growing
thst the declaration TO a large extent
is a mere bluff. People in Sweden,
however. do not shut their eyes TO the
danger to industry of intensified sub
marine warfare. especially in the case
Of coal and grain imports.
Last fall q movement among the
farmers of Sweden was started for
collecting food for the poor of Stock
holm. and the gifts We're summed up
as follows. just before Christmas:
Two hundred and eighty-nine cords of
wood, 119 tons of potatoes. 80 tons of
grain and -four, nine tons of peas, one
and a half tons of cheese almost one
ton of butter. one and half tons OF
other kinds Of food. and $500 in
cash.
King Gustaf Of Sweden went to Den
mark February on board the torpedo
cruiser Clas Uggla, escorted by torpedo
boats and an ice breaker. He was
received by King Christian and the
Danish princes and was cordially
greeted by the public. His presence
during the present situation excited
great interest.
The Fridberg home for Lappish chill
dren at StrOm, farmland has celebrat-
ed its forty-year jubilee. 1t was found
ed by Rev. Sandell, formerly pastor
in the Swedish Augustana Synod of
America. and he is still managing the
institution with vigor and efficiency.
though he is seventy three years old.
Great Britain is the most important
buyer of Sweden's export products and
France stands second. The timber ex-
ports to these countries alone amount
annually to about 300,000,OO0 crowns.
The blockade. threatens not only to
stop this trade but TO prevent impor-
tations. including especially English
coal.
An ak factory is in process of con-
struction at Abyfors. Gestrikland. 1t
will he up-to-date in every particular,
and the thirty men who will get EN-
ployment there are expected to turn
out about 10000 axes year. Motive
power will be furnished ~ the local
power station.
Sweden is hard up for locomotives.
This is not so strange: but it is strange
indeed that Germany is in a position
to sell old locomotives so cheap that
Sweden finds it to be a paying bust
ness to buy.
The iron-clad Sverige is approaching
its completion. The heavy guns will
be mounted In the near future. and 1t
Is expected that the vessel viii be
ready for its trial trips next spring.
On account of failing health Queen
Victoria has been compelled TO go
South. and she is stopping at her
birthplace in Baden, Germany.