Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1924-07-23

AASAAONANO anu III L1USL pdTLS OIL CQe
country paganism was revived.
Another Olav, -Olav Haralsson-
also a product Of southern raids and
a Christian, reunited Norway under
one king in 1016 and took up anew the
task of making the country Christian,
His methods were not so overbearins
as the former CLAWS, but force was
not entirely lacking. From his accession
until 1923 he reintroduced the faith
into one region after another. Final
~, in 1924, he had drawn up and
adopted a church code making the
Christian faith official. It is the ami.
Versary Of this act which Norway Is
now celebrating.
Fishers and Sailors.
AS in the past, so now, fishing is
one of the basic industries Of Norway,
where millions of dollars worth of
cod and herring are taken annually.
Bergen with its great fish market tells
eloquently Of the Importance of fish
to this nation. Before the Thirteenth
century Bergen was supplying a great
part of Christendom with the fish
which 1t consumed on Fridays and 9TH
er fast days. The Lofoten islands, of
the Norwegian coast just above the
Arctic circle, form the fishing center
Of Norway. The waters are rough and
the calling dangerous. Between two
of these Islands surge the turbulent
waters known around the world as
forming the famous Maelstrom.
The Viking spirit Of the old Nor
wegians Is not dead, but has been
transmitted into a driving force for
modern activities. The modern Viking
does not raid his neighbours coasts !;
instead, he takes his cargo ships all
over the earth and carries large
share of the worlds commerce. In
1913 Norway stood fourth in shipping
among all the nations.
Another way In which the Viking
spirit manifests itself today is In Nor
wegian immigration. Thousands Of
Norway's sons have left their old home
during the past centuries, most Of
them going to America. More than q
quarter as many men Of Norwegian
blood live In the United States as in
Norway.
Situated so far north, Norway might
be thought incapable Of producing
much Of value in crops But farming Is
even more generally engaged in than
fishing. The harder grains are grown
and potatoes flourish. Cattle and goat
raising Is the most important side Of
farming, for the pasture land Is ex-
cellent and hay Is produced in abun-
dance. The picturesque pasture plots,
often a days journey or more from the
farms, and In many cases perched far
up on steep mountain slopes, are
known as "saeters."
The late Nineteenth century and the
Twentieth have seen the growth Of
numbering In Norway's extensive for
ests and the development Of industry.
Hundreds Of thousands of horse power
are available from Norway's many wa
terfalls and these are steadily being
harnessed to turn factory wheels and
operate electric power plants.
Capital Beautifully Situated.
The queen Of Norway's cities Ii
Christiania, the capital, situated
around the southern nose Of the PENN
sula, off the water Of the Skagerrock
BY summer the weather Is balmy. A
sail for 60 miles up the island-studded
Christiania ford Is fitting entry into
the city which nestles in an amphi-
~
beautiful suburbs and country estates.
The deep blues of hills and islands,
the warm colors of the houses and the
fruits and flowers of the market
places conspire to create an Illusion
that one is in the Sunny South. In
the winter the surrounding hills afford
infinite opportunity for skiing and to-
boganning, sports which are dear to
the Norwegian heart.
Norway Is modern politically, indus
trially and in almost every other way.
One admirer declares uneQuivocally
that the Norwegians are "the most
democratic people in the western
world" So progressive is their con-
stitution that the Norwegian king has
described himself as "a constitutional
president for life" Telephones and
telegraphs are in use In all parts of
the country, and in spite of great
difficulties railways have been extend
ed to many Of the most rugged re-
gions Of the peninsula, Supplementary
steamer lines that ply to all ports.
Education Is compulsory. With its vast
water power and its ample supplies
Of raw materials, Norvay's Industrial
future Is particularly ROSY