Evening star., 1942-06-21
Thousond-Y d-Yeur-Old
Democracy
Bv Frederic J. Hdsktn.

ened. 1t is refreshing to think tnat thlo
summer one nation-Iceland-Wi cele-
brate its l!0l2th anniversary as a demo-
cratic state.
Iceland, as an attraction to newcom-
ers. could well hang out a sign bearing
these words: mo army. no navy, no
jails. and no major crimes" II the
would-be settler is interested IN tnis
small country's fiscal relations, lcelano
keeps her budget balanced. These things
augur well that Iceland has workable
democracy-a democracy that has stooo
for more than a thousand years and is
stronger than ever.
1t was in the summer OF $50 Az
that the oldest Parliament still IN exist
ence opened for the transaction OF ouSi-
ness. And opened" is right, for there
were no man-made walls to surround II.
The first meeting took place on a great
cleft In a lava field, and Its members
were adventurous Norsemen who helo
no fear of the inclemencies OF weather
or the wrath of their felloWmen. These
pioneers in that memorable outooor
meeting laid the foundation for the
Althine. a name which has persisted
through the centuries TO designate Ice
lands highest law-making body. lhlng
is the old Morse verb Ito talk" and al
means all" Thus. these early corners
to Iceland set up Parliament in Wnlcn
could be discussed all things pertaining
to the countrys interest. Again that Is
democracy placed on high ana WORK
able basis.
Icelands government, which was set
I'm 500 wears before Columbus discovered
America, has undergone a lew minS
changes but remains today in principle
of administration virtually the same as
it was when first adopted in the open
snaces. The Althing has AZ members,
ID of which constitute the upper mouse
or senate and the remainder the lower
house. The form of election varies
somewhat from that OF the United states
in that some of the members OF 'ne
senate are elected by the people ana
the remainder chosen by JOINT vote
of both the upper and lower assemblies.
new leadership.
Rut while Icelands democratic form
of government and historic national as
sembly have survived more than l'ooo
wears. the country at one time loSt ltS
indenendence. That was in 1862 when
the King of Norway, who had mace
previous attempts to do so. persuaded
the Icelandic people to swear allegiance
IN him. In essence this removed from
the Althing most of its governing power
but it remained in modified form chiefly
as court of law with judges who were
chosen by the royal officials In addl-
ton. it still retained some legislative
power. exercised partly in conjunction
with the King and partly by itself. This
arrangement continued unaltered IN its
main features when Iceland, together
with Norway. came under the Danish
King in 1880.
By the Peace of Keil in 1914 when the
King OF Denmark had to yield Norway,
no change was made in the relationship
of Iceland with Denmark. When the
consultative chambers were established
in Denmark in 1894, the Icelanders
claimed equal rights for themselves and
this was granted. Though the King
of Denmark resigned absolute power IN
184e he still held rulership over Iceland
because the constitutional law under
which he relinquished full power DID
not Apply there. The Icelanders renew
ing their struggle for independence De-
came an independent state OF Denmark <
in 1913, both countries having the same
King. When the Germans occupied Den
mark on April 9. 1910, Iceland's Althlns
Immediately declared for complete IN
dependence and on May l6, l94l, union
with Denmark was terminated ofhciaily'
Thus. through the centuries the peo-
ple of Iceland have retained spirit OF
independence based upon the Ideals ol
the intrepid pioneers who exposed them
selves in a bleak field in the summer OF
e3o to Law the foundation for people
and a government that still remain. If
there is a lesson in this chain OF events
it is the fact that democracy Is never
threatened because it is democracy,
but because of the greed and selfish
ness of those who would become masters
over the masses.
Centuries old, Iceland in recent times
has had a new meaning for the people
of the Western Hemisphere. Fearing
that it might fall into the hands OF the
Germans as naval and air base, British
forces landed there on May 10, l94O, In
order to insure adequate defense OF
this important outpost. Then came
July 7, l941, when it was announced by
President Roosevelt that, as commander
in chief, he had issued orders TO the
Navy that all necessary steps be taken
to insure the safety of communications
in the approaches between Iceland and
the United States as well as on seas
between the United States and all other
strategic outposts. BY mutual agree
ment with Iceland which included the
promise not to interfere with 1celands S
government and to remove armed forces
when the emergency is over, United
States military forces landed there to
supplement British forces and also to
enable transfer of some British troops.
Iceland is approximately the size OF
Ohio and has population of more than
10000 people. Lying just below the
Arctic Circle, the island is not so icy as
it's name suggests. for temperatures in
winter are higher than those in many
areas in the temperate zones. The Gulf
Stream. which normally flows around
the island, has a great effect on the
climate, but currents from the Arctic
Ocean sometimes come down to the
north coast and fill the firths and bays
,,ritl, ice Thara ore M great extremes