The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-03-22

KNOWN OHSTORY
BORN IN SAGALAND
Of Country Goes Back
Almost Two Centuries Be.
yond Pioneer Althing
IRISH FIRST ON ISLAND.
Found It Uninhabited; Then
Scandinavians Came and
Made Home There

Rcykjavik. Iceland, Mar. 22.-{P-
Iceland. Of the smallest Of ma
tions. but the greatest per capita ex-
porting country, Is making ready to
entertain this summer in honor OF
the 1000th birthday Of her parlia-
ment. the first national legislature Of
the civilized world.
King Christian of Denmark. who is
also head Of this independent mon
archy, will be chief figure at the cele-
bration. but all other leading nations,
including the United States, will also
be represented officially. King Chris
tian will travel here on a Danish
cruiser and will be accompanied by
Queen Alexandrine. Crown Prince
Frederick, Prince Knud and other
members Of the royal household.
Visitors to Live on Ships
Iceland being considered one of the
Scandinavian sisterhood. most Of the
ncn-official visitors r expected to
come from Denmark, Norway. Swed-
en- and Finland. But special parties
are also being organized in the
United States. Canada. Great Britain,
Germany and the Netherlands.
{ These visitors will be housed on
their ships while here, neither the
hotel no private accommodations of
Nhe island-therc are only about l00,-
100 inhabitants in the kingdom
being adequate for such an influx Of
guests. The capital itself has q pop
tlation of only Is. 900.
While the 1celandic parliament. or
Althing first gathered on Thtngvillir,
or "placc Of assembly," In ne year
$50, the history Of the country goes
almost two centuries back Of that.
Irish hcrmits reached Iceland In TBS
and found It uninhabited. About $50
"A. D., q Norwegian viking, Naddod,
.r~edscovercd the country and Gardar
Svarsson. q 5wede. was driven by
storms to its shores.
First Permanent Settler
The first permanent settler was
1ngolf Arnarson, a Norwegian. APP
preaching the coast in the year 874,
he cast overheard his high seat pill
lars and vowed to make his home
where those symbols of permanency
were washed ashore. He found them
on the beach of what is now the har-
Dor Of Reykjavik and a statue to his
memory by Ejnar Jonoson. foremost
Icelandic sculptor, has been erected
here.
The country owes its commercial
eminence to the fish in its waters and
the sheep in its valleys. Together
they make up five-sixths Of the x
ports. the only other sizable item
being timber from the hills. The to-
tai is around $l3,50O,090 yearly, some
thing In the neighborhood Of 500 q
month for each man, woman and
child In the country.
There Is no army OF navy to sup
port, but there are plenty of schools
and q very low rate of illiteracy. The
budget balances easily. the national
debt Is diminishing and the Gulf
stream continues to send its warm
waters near the coast and modify the
otherwise natural severity of the
winters.
Drink Only Spanish Wine
London, Mar. 22.-tP)-Arni PalSsen
of Reykjavtk. is visiting England but
finds It cold and wet here. He Is
going back to Iceland DOR to get
warm.
I'VE have mild winters and warm
summers" he said. Here it is cold
and wet both. In Iceland. when 1t Is
cold, 1t Is also dry"
There are three cinemas, n the
atrc. Il policemen, 20 motor-cars, q
jail containing three prisoners, and
many beautiful women in Reykjavik.
The women of Iceland are lovely"
said Mr.. Palsscn. And the children
Of Iceland arc lovely. too"
The only alcoholic drink allowed In
the country Is Spanish wine. This is
because Spain threatened to place a
duty on imported fish from Iceland if
the government at R~eykjavik refused
thGtr wine.
Land Of No Murders
There are not railways In Iceland
nud no murderers. Servants are their
employers equals. They sit at table
VIII the family and eat the national
diah, smoked mutton with mustard.
Than the interviewer was quizzed.
(which country had the first Par
ltasnent3" asked PalsGen.
England" was the prompt re-
AponDe.
4 -ohl no II didn't" said Palssen.
as1e0land vas first. Next year We eel
el,rote the thousan4sh anniversary Of
en- Harliamen+"
ssxl5,sc first Aiscnvered American
next asked Palssen.
*Christopher Columbus" ,'as an
svprod after slight hesitation.
aOhi no he didn't" said Palssen.
TT was Lett Ericsson. . viking Of Ice
land. He discovered America In the
sy1ox 400"
ryVno wrote the Sagas?' asked Pals
sen sfiercely. "E--er-ah; Edgar wal
s1nce?"
noh! no II wasn't said Palsscn.
NJ VA ! poet Of Iceland"
$50 bE.EH4# -