Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-07-12
NO. %.
Sweden and Norway.

The affairs of Sweden and Norway h ave
been drifting toward a serious crisis for
| years. The cause of the dissensions which
have disturbed the relations of the two
countries are traceable to the constitution
adopted in 1915, confirming their union un-
der one king While the constitution gives
separate local government to each country,
it left a prolific root of contention in the
provision that the minister of foreign af-
fairs must be a Swede, answerable only to
the king and the Swedish parliament. The
consular service is joint. The Radicals,
who apparently number half of the voting
population of Norway, insist that their
country shall have an equal voice with
Sweden in settling foreign policies. They,
therefore, ask that the act of union be
amended to provide for a common minister
of foreign affairs, to be either a Swede or a
Norwegian, and for a separate Norwegian
consular service.
After repeated Overtures the Swedish
parliament in 1893 offered compromise,
that the minister might be either a Swede
! or Norwegian, but that he must remain
| answerable to the Swedish parliament.
This was rejected by the Norwegians, who
then asked for distinct Norwegian minis
ter of foreign affairs. This was rejected
by King Oscar, as it was tantamount to
proposition for the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the
union. The countries could not long re-
main together after declaring for different
foreign policies. The king also refused to
permit the question of separate consuls to
be considered, as demanded by Norway,
unless he were allowed to take the advice
of his Swedish ministers on the subject.
The Norwegian ministers resolved TO re-
sign, but afterward decided to remain in
office until ministry was formed to sue
ceed them.
The relations of King Oscar and his Nor
wegian subjects had become so strained by
the beginning of the present year that ru-
mors became current that he would abdi-
cate. In May Norway refused to contrib
ute to the foreign budget. In the early
part of June the Norwegian parliament, by
a vote of 90 to "a, passed a resolution re-
affirming Norways right to equality with
Sweden, includin% a separate ",GSular ser
vice and separate foreil : mister, and
proposingthat negotiationsf entered upon
to end the long-standing itterences be-
tween the countries. Tb resolution was
opposed only by the eXtrelle Radicals, who
seem bent upon the dissolution of the I'M
ion. The Norway ministry requested the
king to form a new cabinet and the king
suggested a compromise ministry, COM
posed of four Radicals, four Conservatives,
and two Moderates, but the Moderates, un-
der the leadership of Sverlrup, declined
the proposal.
All efforts to allay the dangerous irrita-
tion and jealousy have been unavailing, and,
unless a compromise OF some kind Is soon
reached, an armed collision is among the
possibilities. The dispatches from Berlin
as to the situation are rather disquieting.
King Oscar is represented as saying that
the Norwegian parliament must contribute
its share towards the diplomatic and con-
sular budget. If that body will not assist
him in forming a ministry he will not rec
ogniZa any ministry il may fost upon him,
and he will rule Norway with force and
| arms if necessary. The Norwegian Rad
icals present a defiant front, and the grav-
ity of the situation is attracting attention
| in German and Russian official circles.
The Swedes, it is believed, will stand by
King Oscar There is a Conservative party
in Norway willing to make compromises.
The Radicals are tainted by socialistic doc
trines, which are obnoxious to the Nor
wegian farmers; but Radicals, Conserva-
tives and ModeIates are united in the de-
mand for equality in the union in every
respect, and may be expected to stand to-
gether if there should be war. The Nor
wegan Storthing consists of 80 Radicals
and 50 Conservatives, and this strong Con-
servative minority may yet avert an ap-
| peal to arms.