Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1917-03-15

this year marked by peculiar interest
and solemnity. King Gustaf's speech
from the throne reflected the feeling
OF anxiety prevalent in the nation.
"Grievous is this hour he declared,
ain which the king and the riksdak
meet again to face the common re-
sEonsibiIiries which the security OF
the kingdom imposes on them" Then
after some further preliminary re-
marks, his majesty said: 1T is neces-
sary for the Swedish people TO remem-
Der this. and In the ~trouhlous circum-
stances In which We find ourselves, TO
realize that they must put an end TO
conflicts which might divide the nation.
All internal d~issensions aggraVate Pc
cuiiarly the difficulties of my task.
Unity among our citizens, ON the other
hand, facilitates the realization OF the
end [ nave set out to attain with the
consent of the entire country. which is
to assure the liberty and sovereignty OF
the kingdom and to safeguard her neu-
trality. The state of special prepared
ness to which l have judged it indis-
pensable 10 bring our land n sea
forces must still be maintained. The
increasing extent To which the opera
tons Of war have been carried IN in
our territorial waters has necessitated
extraordinary measures. The duty OF
all neutral states to maintain interna-
ri0nal law. the care OF common legiti-
mate interests, the desire to contribute
TO the establishment of a durable
peace, assuring in the future their po-
sftiou and their free development. in
duced Sweden to enter into relations
with other neutral powers especially
with the two other Scandinavian king
doms with Il view TO common delibera-
tiens and decisions. I trust that the
cooperation already effected between
the neutral states will further be
strengthened and extended. The lack
Of foodstuffs caused by the war in the
worlds stocks, as well as the him
ORANGES placed In the way Of our inn
ports by the beiligerent powers. have
brought with them for our people diff
ficulties which daily become more ac-
centuated. In order to guarantee the
import OF necessary goods without,
however. compromising other essential
interests, I have entered into negotia-
tons with certain b~elligerent powers.
The question of the purchase In for
eign markets Of f0odsruffs OF which
II country In most in need and Of
their transport to Sweden on equitable
conditions IL attracting my special at
tention and are. The necessity of as
surfing a fair distribution of indispen-
sable foodstuffs decided ME to issue
regulations which entail considerable
interference with the life of the indi-
vidual. With u view 70 decreasing by
measures tending to a reduction In
price the effects of the high price of
living, I intend to submit to you Ger
tath bills. The efforts Ut the state to
aid the weak members of society only
with be crowned with complete sue
cess IL the nation supports them by a
loyal voluntary cooperation, and IL it
learns In the rough school of the pres
emf time to understand better the sol
lidarity Of all and TO free itself from
the lust OF immoderate gain. I in
tend to ask you for credits for a war
bonus to state officials. for an increase
Of pensions, and for other grants TO
certain officials. In these times of di-
visions and violence. of which no one
can yet foresee the end, solicitude for
the safety of the kingdom imposes
upon us the duty Of taking advantage
for the strengthening of national de-
Tense Of the experiences gained during
the war. | intend In this matter also
70 ask for your collaboration
The women's societies of Sweden
have sen a petition or appeal TO King
Gustaf In which they pray that the
government take steps To protect the
rural female schoolteachers of the
country. There are ls4 such teachers
who live all alone. more than "A kilo-
meter from the nearest farmhouse, A
Of them living five kiiometers or more
from the nearest farm residence. These
girls are exposed To the unweicome at
tentions OF degenerates who accost
them on their a to or from their
schools and at their lonely dwelling
places. Not long ago the entire coun-
try was stirred by the story at how n
of these lonely teachers had been as
sauited.
In the year 1915 only f.t46,0do tons
af rnal vera imuarrrd fa sweden from