The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-24 00:00:00

Opening of the Norwegian Diet,

The following is the speech of the King of Nor•
way and Sweden on the opening of the sixth extra.
ordinary Storthing
_

Good Gentlemen and Norwegians,—•

In the presence of events known to us all, I have consi-
dered it my duty to convene the Storthing of the kingdom
of Norway, in order that I, by means of its decisions, may
obtain the same freedom to act in relation to Norwegian
affairs which I already possess in relation to those of Sweden,
Having now before my eyes the object to spare the two na-
tions whose fate Providence has entrusted to my charge
from all great sacrifices other than such as circumstances
may necessitate, I cannot, nevertheless, fail to foresee the
possibility that the demand for such sacrifices may become
imperative, and the difference between the constitution of
two kingdoms has therefore rendered it necessary to con-
vene the Storthing, so that no impediments may occur to
the simultaneous advption of such provisionary measures
as the development of events require in relation to bothna •

ions.

I am confident that the Storthing is united 'with me in
the opinion that both peoples should in the same degree be
prepared to meet those claims which circumstances may de-
mand from them.

Since the Storthing's last meeting I, on behalf of the
united kingdoms, in concert with other Powers, have
concluded a treaty with his Majesty the King of the Bel.
gians for the abolition of the Scheldt dues. With regard to
the pecuniary compensation required for this purpose, it, so
far as Norway is concerned, is contingent on the consent of
the Storthing. The proposal for that consent will, there-
fore, be laid before you.
Certain other propositions concerning internal affairs,
and which require the co-operation of the Storthing, will
also be presented.
I am in the highest degree assured that the Storthing
will, with joy, receive the announcement of the approach-
ing betrothal of my most beloved brother, his Royal High-
ness Prince Augustus, to her Highnass the Princess
Theresa of Saxe-Altenburg. _ _

At the same time that fnow declare the sixth extraordi-
nary Storthing of the Kingdom of Norway opened, do I
also implore the blessing of God on your labours, and re-
main, in all Royal grace and favour, good gentlemen and
Norwegians, earnestly watchful over the welfare of all in
general, and of each in particular.
Given at Christiania Palace the 14th March, 1864.
CARL.

(Signed) G. SI➢BERN.

J. AALL,

The following is his Royal Majesty's most gra•
cious proposition to the Norwegian Storthing that
its consent be given to the employment of the
Norwegian troops of the line and the fleet in aid of
Denmark during its present war with the German
Powers, and, further, to an extraordinary vote of
supply to the war establishment :
We, Carl, by the grace of God King of Norway and
Sweden, the Goths and the Vandals, hereby make known
His Majesty, who fully recognises the importance to the
united kingdoms of the preservation of the blessings of
peace, and whose most earnest efforts will be devoted to that
object, sp long as circumstances render it possible to prevent
breach thereof, cannot nevertheless fail to foresee the possi-
bility that the deplorable hostilities now occurring in our
neighbouring country, Denmark, may render it indispen-
sable for both the united kingdoms to take such military
means as the course of events and treaties with other Powers
growing out of those events might give occasion to.
In order that, on behalf of the kingdom, the requisite
control over military force and its financial resources may
be obtained, which would enable his Majesty at one and the
same time for both kingdoms to take those measures which,
after mature deliberation, may be considered demanded by
the unquestionable obligation of both, his Majesty—confi •
dently relying on the Storthing that it, with its wonted
patriotism and clear insight into existent relations, will sus-
tain his Majesty's efforts in this important point—requests
the Norwegian Storthing to sanction as follows :-
1. The Storthing enacts that the troops of the line and the
national fleet, whensoever and for so much as her Majesty
may consider necessary, shall be used in aid of Denmark
during its present war with the German Powers.
2. As an extraordinary supply to the defensive force of the
kingdom Spd 500,000 are voted, and hie Majesty, for the
same purpose, is empowered to supply a further sum, not
exceeding Spd 300,000, but this latter sum can only bo ap-
plied after a new extraordinary Storthitig shall have been
convened, or at the same time at which it is convened.
On the one hand, to put it in the power of the Storthing
to form an independent opinion on these most important
matters, and, cn the other, not to contravene that secrecy of
diplomatic acts which, over and above its foundation in the
mutual understanding which regulates all international ne-
gotiations is further inevitably necessary to maintain se-
curely the relation of the kingdoms to foreign Powers. His
Majesty will cause to be laid before the Storthing the
minutes of the Council of State, held with special reference
to the affair, wherein also will be included the reports of the
Minister for Foreign Affairs concerning the details of the
case, and the position therein which the united kingdoms
have held, together with copies of the Government delibe-
rations thereon ; which documents, nevertheless, from their
confidential nature, must for the time' e held strictly secret
by the individual members of the Storthing. His Majesty
further requests the Storthing, that in cases when diplo-
matic papers of a character requiring the most stringent
secrecy may have to be produced, a special committee should
be chosen, which under the strictest obligation of sacresy
shall have such documents laid before it, so that its report,
based on scrutiny of such documents, may serve to guide
the Startling in its decision.
His Majesty, in all Royal grace and favour, remains the
devoted guardian of the Norwegian Storthing.
Given at Christiania Palace the 14th March, 1864, under
our hand and the seal of the realm.

CARL.

(Sigaecl) G. EIBBERN.

3. AALL.

TOM THUMB retires, it is said, on a quarter of u
million—so that it seems much easier to make a fortune 11
littleness than by greatness,