SPITZBERGEN’S NEW NAME

Evening Star, Issue 19021, 17 August 1925, Page 5

SPITZBERGEN’S NEW NAME

TO BE KNOWN AS SVALBARD CEREMONY AT ADVENT BAY. Press Association —By Telegraph-Copyright-OSLO, August 11. (Received August 17, at S a.m.) Norway has formally taken possession of Spitsbergen, which in future will bo named Svalbard. The event was celebrated solemnly at. Long Year City, Advent Bay, Ihe Dlinisfcr of .histiee reading out llio proclamation and hoisting the Norwegian Hag. He announced tho appointment of a deputy-prefect. Renter. [Svalbard, which is henceforth to be tho name ot Spit/dicrgen, in the Arctic regions, was tlit', original name ol this icebound land. It was discovered by Norwegian adventurers in 1191, tho only mention of tho discovery in tho ‘ Island.sko Annalor’ —iu six different MSS. —being “ Svalbardi fundinu ” (Svalbard was discovered). No great geographical discovery has over been more briefly recorded in literature. “Svalbard” means “tho cold side.” Svalbard has no native inhabitants, but since its discovery it has been the resort of whalers, trappers, and hunters. Since tho beginning of tho twentieth century the minerals have attracted ranch attention. Good steam and cooking coals occur iu great quantities. Other minerals arc iron orp, asbestos, gypsum, and oil shale. Tho Supreme Council in 1920 placed Spitsbergen under Norway’s sovereignty.]