Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1917-04-26
important Events In Sweden,
Norway and Denmark.
BRIEFS FROM OLD COUNTRY
Interesting Items From the Three
Great kInodoms Of the North, So.
leeted for seandInavians and
Their O4aeendanta
BY MARTIN w. oDLANp.
Norway.

A writer in the London Tit-Bits
gives an interesting account of the
ownership of the Orkney islands which,
ne declares, are not, as supposed, q
part and parcel Of the British empire,
but are in reality held by the British
exactly as a pawnbrOker holds the
watch Of the impecunious individual
who has temporarily parted with that
useful article. 'These islands are only
held by u.s." declares the writer, "in
pawn and Norway, as it were, holds
the ticket. Long ago Orkney, together
with the Hebrides on the west coast of
Scotland. belonged to Norway. After
the battle OF Largs Norway coded the
latter to Scotland for a cash payment
of 1900 marks and an annual tribute
of 100 marks. This tribute, known in
history as the annual Of Norway, has
to be paid regularly under a penalty.
In 1897 Norway, Sweden, and Den
mark were united under one crown, and
when Christian became king of the
united realms Scotland had neglected
the annual payment for forty years,
mourning penalty of over 10000
marks. King Christian promptly sent
in his account for the whole sum,
with request for immediate payment.
Scotland declined to pay and as King
Christian insisted, q rupture between
the two countries seemed inevitable.
The king of France. however, who
happened to have alliances with both
countries, used his influence and sug-
gested a marriage between Prince
James of Scotland. afterward King
James III, and Margaret, King Chris
tians daughter, trusting that such a
union would lead to friendly settle
ment. After much haggling. the mar
riage treaty was arranged and the
princess dowry fixed at $4,000 forms ::
10000 to be paid within the year and
the Island of Orkney to be pledged
for the other 10000. Only 1000 forms
was paid, the Shetland islands being
pledged for the remaining S,OOO-and
there the payments stopped. Though
unable to pay, King Christian would
on no account accede to the per1na-
nent cessiOn Of the islands, and it is
quite certain that he intended to re-
deem them, as he was quite entitled
to do. for so late as 1868 the plenipo-
tentiaries Of Europe declared that the
Islands were still redeemable. How.
ever. neither he nor any of his sue
cessers have been able to do so and
that is how Orkney and Shetland be-
long to Britain. But supposing that
the present ruler Of Norway produced
the ticket along with the money due
and demanded back these islands. II
would be interesting to know what
would happen"
Government statisticians announce
that of Norway's vast water power re-
sources about 100000 horse power
have now been harnessed to human
use. Another 100000 horse power
have been leased to domestic and for.
eign interests. The total available wa
ter power Of Norway is estimated at
100000 horse power, distributed
among. 5000 waterfalls. AS royal
ties for water power concessions now
in operation the Norwegian govern
ment has received 1O9,6O8 kroner and
the communal governments 1852.
kroner. For water power leases that
have been granted, but have not vet
been put to use, the state will receive
1,7O5,345 kroner outright and an an
nual royalty Of S11,394 kroner. The
communities will receive an annual
rental Of 655.38O kroner. The royal
ties will increase with the years on
the basis of rising scale. The use
of electric lights and electric motors
has increased tremendously In the past
three years. At the close Of the year
1916 the country had 2,282, 1893 In
candescent electric lamps, also about
5000 arc lights, and 2S,277 motors.
About half of the electric power pro-
duced in the country. however, is used
in the electro-chemica industries.
1t is announced that Sam Eyde, the
famous Norwegian inventor and capi-
'talist. has decided to lay out vege-
table gardens and orchards on large
scale on his properties in Jarlsberg.
His purpose is to aid in making Nor
way economically Independent Of other
countries and to supply the city popu-
lation with vegetables and fruits Mt
reasonable prices. The products of his
gardens will be sold only to dealers
who will agree to a small margin of
profit. In connection with this enter
prise Mr.. Eyde plans to conduct
practical course in horticulture for
young boys.
At the close Of the month of No
vember last. IA new distilleries were
opened in Norway and In December
8 more were started making a total of
%. The output Of these distilleries
was 517.S34 liters of pure alcoholic
liquors and enough other LIQUOR to
bring the total up to 6S3.931 liters.
a monorail railroad has been estah-
lished nj Submarines. vesteraalen.
Na:".s. it will be used for the trans