New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-06

asked nothing better had he possessed the means
10 make war, but his star was declining, his hands
already full with the defence of the Danish
Crown-whioh he was about TO lose irrevocably-
and Inc could only rail at his successful rival 30
Gustavus was enabled TO despoil his bishops, TO
seize the monastery lands, TO stable his troopers
horses in the cloisters, and to bring down the
pride and power of the Church completely.
At the same time he was desperately striving to
raise money by new taxes and even by debasing
the coinage OF his realm; trick TO which most
medieval rulers at some time resorted Inc
Lubeckers had to be paid of. That was the most
serious trouble. After this was done it might be
possible TO relieve the people Of some Of their
burdens. Here 1t seems proper TO notice the often
repeated charges of unfair dealing with LuDecR
and the League brought against Gustavus VaSa'
The truth appears TO be that he had been unlusty
accused in this matter; that in reality ne did no
more than any enlightened and patriotic sovereign
ought to have done that in truth he simply re-
sumed special franchises and privileges the pos
session of which put the commerce OF sweden WIZ
ually at the mercy Of the Hanseatic League.
England was forced in self-defence TO adopt the
same policy later, and Germany would have found
her profit in doing so long before. AT the Diet of
Streugnas a perpetual monopoly of all foreign
trade with Sweden had been granted to Lubbock
and Dantzic, TO the great injury and impoyersh-
ment of Swedish merchants. When the pressure
of the Lubbock debt became heavy, and dispute
arose as to the amount of il, the relations with
Lubbock became strained, and result OF this was
the falling of in the importation OF foodstufs 10
such an extent that the Swedish people were
threatened with famine. OF course 1t Followed
that the raising of taxes to iqudate the debt grew
more and more difficult. The Dalecarlans always
the most independent and stubborn OF the Swedes,
finally refused to pay any taxes at all, nor would
they attend a Diet called by the King to discuss
the situation.
1t was at this iuncture that the trade rivalry
of the Hanse towns in the Netherlands with
Lubbock turned to the advantage Of Sweden.
The Dutch towns had long desired TO share the
Baltic trade with Lubbock, and now proposed CON-
mercial treaties TO that end. Gustavus was at
first apprehensive that Lubbock would resist this
scheme, but the Lubeckers had apparently come
to the conclusion that the best way TO secure
the payment of the Swedish debt was to put no
obstacles in the path of the extension Of Swedish
commerce, and the event showed that their iudg-
ment was correct. Gustavus doubt violated
the guarantees originally given to Lubbock, but it
does not appear that he had any alternative, nor
would it be easy to demonstrate that his course
ruler is 10 his own country. Now, the privileges
granted to Lubbock at the Diet of Streugnas in
volved serious and lasting injury to the people
of Sweden This the experience Of few years
conclusively proved, and the question therefore
was whether Gustavus should be false to his first
and highest duty, or whether he should resume his
privileges too hastily granted 10 the Hause towns.
Neither then now could there be any serious
doubt as to his obligations. lie bound TO
maintain and foster Swedish interests. and this he
did. The Hanseatio League was rapaciOus and
unscupuous syndicate 1t never hesitated to grasp
all the trade Of any country nor did it shrink
from injuring the commerce of the cities in which
it had gained a footing. Gustavus then ought not
to be censured for resembling the privileges rashy
and improvdently accorded to these traders, and
he was certainly right in refusing TO concede TO
the Dutch towns the liberal terms Lubbock had ex-
torted from him in the days of his weakness.
1t is true, as Mr.. Watson points out, that the
success of the Swedish Revolution due to the
struggle between the Hanseatc League, Christian
the Second Of Denmark and Duke Frederic. But
these all fighting for their own hands, and
neither of them would have helped Sweden save
as in so doing they might further their own in
terest. Lubbock and Frederic held Christian
from attacking Gustavus at the most critical
moment, and then gave him time TO concentrate
and establish his power, 1t must be said that he
had almost as much trouble with his own sub
jects as with foreign enemies, both during and
subsequent TO the Revolution, and this should be
remembered in partial palliaton of the tOrturous
and tricky policy which characterizes his methods
of government Mr.. Watson is clearly right in
denying to him the distinction and credit of a
popular leader. Whatever liberal views he may
once have entertained were soon sent into the
background under the stress of ever-present diff
culties and perplexties, and the main purpose of
his reign came to be the consolidation of the
monarchy and the coincidcnt elimination Of the
feudal power. Mr.. Watson has written highly
int resting and doubtless in the main accurate
narrative of the Swedish Revolution, and he has
not extenuated in any way the faults of a ruler
who, when all is said, must be CREDITED with un-
usual sagacity, breadth Of mind, and admins
trative capacity, considering his time and the
conditions under which he worked.