New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-08

pass d an almost unanimous vote declining &c
permit the establishment of an Independent
consular service by Norway, on the ground 'ha'
it would be contrary to the terms OF the trea'!
of union between the two countries. Inc Nlhe
is therefore placed in the awkward position
of having t. act unc Jnstitutonally. and c0nse-
quonty unjuStly, to either one or the other Oh
the two nations under his rule lie cannot a.
his duty toward the one without acting wrongly
toward the other.
1t is difficult to perceive how it should be
otherwise. seeing that IN Their ideas. pom po-
litcal and economic. the two Kingdoms are
opposed TO one another. While the people OF
the one country arc rabid Free Traders. those
If the other are equally ardent paltlSans OF a
protective tariff. The commercial rivalry anu
competition between the two are eXceo DINGHY
bitter While. however the Swedish merchant
feet does not exceed tonnage OF hall mill
ion, that Of Norway represents close upon two
millions, being second only i'll rank to that OF
Great Britain, and superior IN size and I'M
poltance to the mercantile navy of cvery other
country in Europe Moreover. the entire Nor
wegian population may be said 10 be financially
interested in the merchant service. For the
thrifty Norsemen instead of investing their
savings either i'm Government bonds or in real
estate. devote them to the purchase OF shares
in some ship, or shipping enterprise. Under
the circumstances it is easy to understand how
strongly they should object to leaving the con-
troll of their maritime interests 10 COnSuls who
as Swedes are naturally prcudiced in favor
of their own countrymen, and who, moreover
are stationed in localities of no commercial Use
to Norway, while ports froquen'cd by the lat
ters ships are left without any kind of consular
representation. Nor need it be believed that
the controversy between the two countries upon
the subject is of recent origin. 1t has been
under discussion ever since 1899. the Swedish
Government invariably putting off the Nor
wegian demands by referring them TO the con
sideration Of committees appointed for the pur-
pose. which, after celebrating for ten and ff-
teen years at time regularly presented reports
declaring the Norwegian claims for separate
consular service t. be inadmiS,iblc. The Nor
wcgans have now become tired OF the treat
ment to which they have been subjected In the
matter and are determined TO brook no further
delay the press representing the opinions OF
the Parliamentary ma jority and OF the Outgo-
ing Administration openly declaring that com
plete separation from Sweden and the eStab-
lishment of a republic in lieu of a monarchy
woud be preferable TO a continuance of the
present subordination Of Norwegian interests
TO those of Sweden.
What the ultimate issue Of the controversy
will be it is impossible 10 predict, especially rs
there are foreign influences IT work both In
favor of and against the settlement of the diff
Guilty. For while the Triple Alliance is anxious
10 bring about an understanding 10 strengthen
;hc hands of King Oscar and of his Govern
ment at Stockholm, where German sentiments
predominant, Russia and France are both eager
TO see the separation of Norway from sweden
and the establishment AT Chri>tlania OF 4 re-
publican Government friendly To these two
allies, and a such prepared 10 as,>, them in
preventing either sweden or Germany from
closing the entrance to the Baltic and prevent
ing access to the Northern scaports of the
Russi3n Emnrc