The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-05
IS INTERESTED IN AMERICA.
KING OF SWEDEN AND NORWAY is
STILL 4 POLITICIAN.

Though Seventy-one Years Old He
Keeps Posted on Current Events
in All COuntries-FriendIy TO the
British - His Foreign Minister
Talks of the Differences Between
Norway and Swcdcn-The Differ
ence Between the Two Nations.
Correspondence of the Associated Press)
Stockholm, Sweden, Feb. IA repre-
sentative of the Associated Press was re-
Gently accorded an audience of King Os-
car Of Sweden and Norway. The details
of the interview are interesting
Every Tuesday morning, whenever King
Oscar is at his capital any of his sub
jects may be received by him with hardly
any formality, Mounting five flights of
stairs, the interviewer entered an ante
chamber, where one non-commissioned Of
hcer from each of the regiments of life
guards stood at attention. Retaining hts
hat in his hand in accord with custom,
he was ushered into the next room to the
Kings adjutant who conducted him into
an adjoining grand solon. the office of the
chamberlain, who, after announcing the
correspondent, conducted him to the
Kings private rooms.
King Oscar was standing in the center
of the room, dressed in the uniform of a
general of the Swedish army His
Majesty is more than six feet tall; his
face has an expression of sympathy and
Intelligence; he was active, although over
Il years old
His Majesty was very much interested
in America. Nothing happening there has
escaped him. He spoke OF the feud in
Kentucky and about the educational in
sttutions with the same familiarity. He
had regretted very much to hear OF the
death of Gen. Lawton in the Philippines,
showing a great interest in what was
taking place on the islands, and asked
many questions in regard to the progress
of the campaign
Naturally the King was much concerned
about the war in South Africa. Ii must
be remembered that Great Britain. though
in no way an ally of Sweden and Norway,
is the best guarantee for the independence
of the two Northern countries. Great
Britaihs world power once broken. it
would not be long before the two little
nations were swallowed up by their
mighty neighbor in the East.
From King OSCARS conversation the
correspondent believed His Majesty was in
favor of abe British in South Africa. How
ever he spoke in the highest terms of the
great strategic ability of the Beers and
expressed a fervent wish that our own
war in the Philippines and the Transvaal
war would soon be over.
As to the internal troubles of his two
countries, the King naturally would not
speak for publication.
The King sent, through the Associated
to hn 4 Inn ian in
the United States.
Talk with Foreign Minister.
A few days later the correspondent was
received by the new minister of foreign
affairs, Mr.. Lagerheim. Among other
things, he discussed abe political differ
ences between Norway and Sweden, ana
said:
Both countries might meet each other
half way on many of their differences, and
thus by mutual concessions, take away
the bitter feeling that exists in some re-
spects. In several instances, as, for ex-
ample, to the nationality of the Minister
of Foreign Affairs, Sweden has made
concessions but l repeat all concessions
must not come from one quarter.
There is a difference in the character OF
the two peoples. The Swedes, being a very
old nation, are more conservative and
harder to change The Norwegians, on
the contrary, are a young people as far
as independence goes, enthusiastic ana
quick of action. Therefore, the SwedCs
are wont to take their time when there is
an important change to be made. and
Sweden has, perhaps, been somewhat slow
in granting certain CONCESSIONS and, when
the time came around and they were
granted, the Norwegians had long ago
given up that particular demand and sub
stifbted a more far-reaching one. Thus
the concessions have always been reject
ed by Norway. l believe that the two
nations stand upon such common ground,
that their interests are so identical and
that there is a wide field upon which we
NAV work together for our mutual bene-
fit. while we allow our minds to rest from
worrying over those impossible questions.
Il shall plainly state my irrevocable
opinion as to the Norwegian demand for
separate Minister of Foreign Affairs and
separate representation abroad. Such
condition is impossible besides being I'M
constitutional. One Swedish Minister of
Foreign Affairs and one Norwegian and
two sets of representatives abroad would
be equal to the dissolution of the union.
and against such an end / shall work
with all my might. This question is pro
vided for in the act of union. Conse-
quently, 1t cannot be changed by the Nor
wegian Storthing alone and Sweden would
never agree to such action"
-s-ses--