Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 18.djvu/850

SWEDEN. 7-42 SWEDEN. The exports of the United States to Sweden and Norway in lS!)i) were $10,000,000, and the imports were $4,000,000; in 1901 tlie exports to Sweden and Norway were $11,000,000 and the imports were $3,000,000. Among the things that the United .States sells to these countries are provisions, wheat, ruaclunery, tools, and cotton. Tkanspohtation and Communication. Rail- roads are cheaply built because of the small cost of land, lumber, and iron. Uninterrupted rail comnumicalion extends between Gellivare in the nortli and Jlalmii in the south, over 1200 miles. A line lias been constructed from Gellivare to Ofoten Fiord, Norway, giving the iron ore of North Sweden an outlet on the Atlantic coast. The total length of railroads in 1900 was 7023 miles. Southern Sweden has an ex- cellent system of waterways by which a series of canals and canalized rivers unite the great lakes with both the North and Baltic seas, providing about 2500 miles of interior navigation. In 1900, 100,806 ships and boats passed through the canals. Swedish trade, like that of Norway, is predominantly maritime, and Swedish vessels are engaged both in the home and foreign trade. The mercantile fleet in 1901 comprised 2987 ves- sels, of 013,792 tons, including 911 steamers, of 325.105 tons. Goteborg is the principal port, with Stockholm, Malmo, and Helsingborg follow- ing. Banking. The National Bank of Sweden (Eiksbank) belongs to the State, regulates finan- cial relations with foreign countries, receives private accounts, and lends money on security to non-speculative enterprises. The bank is under the guarantee of the Diet, its capital and re- serve are fixed, and its note circulation is limited by its metallic stock and its current accounts. Its actual circulation is kept far within the au- thorized limit. The assets and liabilities of the Swedish banks balanced (in kronor) on .Tanuarv 1, 1002, as follows: National Bank, 245,255,457; private banks, 874,039,400; joint- stock banks, 581,424.650. Government. Since 1814 Sweden has been united with Norway under a common king, but each is in effect a separate kingdom with its own government. The fundamental laws of Sweden have never been embodied in any single written constitution, but consist of various enactments of the Diet from 1809 to 1866. By the fundamental laws a limited monarchy is constituted, at the head of which is a king, who is required to be a member of the Lutheran Church and who is bound by oath to observe the laws of the land. By the law of succession women are ex- cluded from the throne. In case of failure of succession the King is to be chosen by the Swedish and Norwegian Diets acting separately. The King lias the exclusive right of legislation as regards trade, commercp. manufacturing, mines, and forests. He is also empowered to issue police regulations and to make rules concerning va- grancy, sanitation, protection against fire. etc. In legislating on other matters he must act with the consent of the Diet. He possesses the right to declare war and make peace upon the advice of a Council of State representing both monar- chies. He nominates higher officials, military and civil, negotiates treaties with foreign coun- tries, and presides in the Supreme Court. He is advised and in some manner assisted by a Council of State consisting at present of eleven Ministers, at the head of which is the Jlinister of State. They have seats in the Diet with the privilege ol debate and the right to initiate legislation. They sometimes resign in case of serious disagreement with the Diet, but the principle of -Ministerial responsibility is not yet freelj' recognized. The National Parliament or Diet (Riksdag) consists of two Chambers, both of which are rep- resentative in principle. The Upper Chamber consists at present of 150 members chosen for a term of nine years by the provincial legislatures (L(ai(lsliiiys),25 in number, and by the municipal governments of those towns which are not rep- resented in the provincial assemblies. These towiis are Stockholm, Goteborg, Jlalnio. Norr- kiiping, and Gelle. The members are distributed on the basis of one to every 30.000 of the popula- tion, and are required to be 35 years of age and in the possession for at least three years prior to their election of property of the taxable value of about $22,000, or an annual income of about $1100. They receive no compensation for their services. The Lower Chamber consists at present of 230 members chosen for a term of three years. Of these. SO are chosen by the towns and 150 by the rural districts. The rural members are dis- tributed on the basis of one member to every 40.000 inhabitants, while the towns are allowed one member for every 10,000 of the population. All native Swedes 21 years of age possessing prop- erty of the taxable value of about $280, or who cultivate for a period of five years a certain amount of land, or who pay an annual income tax on an income of about $225 are qualified voters. Any elector tw'enty-five years of age is qualified for membership in the Lower Chamber. The num- ber of electors in 1899 was 339,876, less than 7 per cent, of the population, and but 40 per cent, of these actually voted. The members of the Second Chamber receive compensation. Tile union of Norway and Sweden under the same executive makes necessary some provision for the administration of those affairs which are common to both monarchies, such as the conduct of their foreign relations. In this domain the King is given power to act for both countries, but his action is subject to the approval of the joint Council of State. Thus he may declare war and make peace, send and recall ambassadors, use ships of war, etc., with the consent of the joint council. This does not, however, destroy the individuality of either nation as regards foreign affairs, since the King may conclude treaties which affect but one of his kingdoms. JIatters of common interest not within the power of the King are regulated by concurrent action of the two Diets. For the purposes of local adminis- tration Sweden is divided into 24 liins or prov- inces, each under the supervision of a prefect nominated by the King. In each province there is a general council or Lrnidstinri. which regulates internal aft'airs. The city of Stockholm, the capital, constitutes a separate administrative di- vision. In the communes there is almost com- plete local self-government, all taxpayers being voters. Some of the communes have primary assemblies very much like the town meetings of New England, while those which are larger and more populous have municipal councils. In the parishes there are local assemblies for regulating ecclesiastical affairs.