Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-10-31
A scANpINAyIAN uNIoN.


The Inevitable fate Of Finland 20 be-
come entirely absorbed In the Russian
omplr, seems TO have revived IN the
three Scandinavian countries the dis
cusslon VI scandinavian union for
mutual protection.
According 90 the New York sun.
noted scandinavian pubilolst Hialmnr
Brnntlng. has recently expressed him
SELF strongly In favor Of such a step.
10 points out that the justification ~
Finland brings the Husdan frontier up
90 that of Sweden. and nocesaltntcs
heavy expenditures Tor fortincatlons
and Tor o. large navy. In Norway. TOO.
the advance " Russia n regarded aa
danger although the warning cone
voycd In the fate of Finland BE- but Inn
perfectly understood Ia both countries.
Mr nrnntlng thinks o. union between
Sweden. Norway ana Denmark, or
revival of the medieval Scandinavia
in o. modern form would be a guarantee
Tor the Integrity u the three countries.
with ita nearly ten million inhabitants.
such a confederation would be a factor
IN European politics. II would be
strong enough 90 defend ~ neutrality
90 some extent and to keep out OF the
vortex ~ possible future conflicts
The latest measure ~ tho Russlan
government % deprive tho Films "
every vostigo Of independence attracted
/ worldwide attention, and Il viii create
I "a Ftul deeper Interest. n II should prove
| the means OF Holldlfying the 20 closely
| related Scandinavian nations. Aud
/ this la by 90 means Impossible. not
wlthntaudlng the somewhat bitter strife
between tho democracy Of Norway and
| the ariatocrncy OF Sweden. For the
leading spirits u the two countries can
/ not fail 90 read the signs of the times
/ correctly. ana the interests u Denmark
/ would undoubtedly be best served IN
such union f0r peace and neutrality
! Tho idea u shown 20 be practicable. will
ma numerous supporters.
The attitude OF the russian ear In
the matter that has auggcsted the re-
uyai or the union u tho three countries
IL very remarkable. AZ the time of
bio accession 20 the throne he aolemuly
/ guaranteed the people Of Finland IN the
enjoyment Of tho rights and prlyilogaa
| accorded them by the constitution. Then
! suddenly came ukaHe decrcoinF that
/ all matters affecting both Finland and
| Ruasln were mo- longer 20 De submitted
/ 20 the Jurisdiction Of the Grand Duohy
alone. and that the emperor was 90 de-
/ eide na 20 which matters are Of such a
| general nature. This virtually deprived
the Finnish legislature Of an power.
In Finland the conviction was general
/ that the ear wan not aware Of tho
/ measures enacted against thom and the
people sent commission to 81. Peters,
burg 10 lay thoir grievances before tho
ruler. The petition they brought with
them had over half a million 81 algna-
lures. but the czar refused 90 see them.
No more success had delegation rep
| roHonting over one thousand scholars.
nrilets and other prominent men all
over Europe The distinguished gem
urmon wero politely refused an audi
/ cucg.
This o. something unique IN modern
history 10 o. almost impossible 90 dis
mlra thr thought that the Russian gov
D
rlrcnuy harsh ana unclvll attitude.
The leading thought 10 the Russian
izlnr Of Finland is the Increase OF tho
army and the placing OF lt under ex-
cufivcly Rusriau command This eug-
! fo8ts that Uussia'a statesmen possibly
SEQ dangers ahead which may call for
me ready use Of an her military rc-
aourcaa. De-. possibly the peacc con-
grgss 90 Be regarded as an earnest but
futile EFFORT % etavo on those dangeru7
n so, u would certainly be well for
/ Denmark aud the two peoples occupy
ing tho Scandinavian peninsula to take
seriously the ourgcstlou " Mr. Brunt-
Inc. Gould thcy form political union.
with their neutrality guaranteed by
Europe, as that Of Switzerland they
might De elvod from destruction IN "a
general European maclstrom