The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-19
SCANDINAVIA'S "EASTERN DANGER
APPEARANCE
NORWEGIANs



who are threatening to invade humble,
peaceful Russia, Is a spectacle appealing
to the risibilities of the world but it
must be borne In mind, also, that not very
many years ago, when our trouble with
Sweden was in its acute stage, Mr. Bjorn-
son made the very reckless proposition
that if Russia should desire one of our
harbors on the Atlantic we might accom-
modate her
The Eastern Dangers Results.
The realization Of the eastern danger
has certainly brought new element into
the discussion at the pending questions be-
tween Sweden and Norway. That part Of
the Swedish people which, few years
ago were all fire and fury against the
Norwegians, who threatened the Norwe-
CLANS with military invasion If they re-
fused to put UP with Swedish pretensions
to superiority In the union. have now come
down peg or two and are inclined to
take Norwegian claims ineo reasonable
consideration. They begin to see that
union in which the Norwegians feel salts
fed, because they enjoy equal rights and
standing at home and abroad, Is the only
union to rely on in case of an invasion
from the east. On the other hand those
Sw-edes who few years ago were not
averse to possible dissolution of the
union, as limited at by Norwegian separa-
fists. have now become the stanchest sup
porters of strong union In fact all
Sweden now seems unit ed in their faith
IN the union with Norway as a prime con-
dltlon OF the perpetuity of the liberty and
independence of the Scandinavian penin-
sula, and, as a consequence, all parties in
Sweden now sincerely wish to meet the
Norwegians half way to have all causes
for discomfort on the part of the Norwe-
gians removed.
Scandinavian Union Necessary.
This view of the Importance Of the per-
manence of the Scandinavian union seems
to be the prevailing one in England and
Germany, both Of which powers, In spite
OF disagreements in other respects, are
| seriously interested in the integrity Of
the Scandinavian countries and in pre-
venting Russia from securing the i'm
| mense advantage of strong naval station
on the Atlantic coast. A. dissolution of
the union and a separate Norway, too
weak to oppose any serious resistance to
Russian encroacnment, might easily invite
England to prevent Russian occupation of
the territory in question by occupying it
herself. England has done such things
before. In any event Norway would lose
| and the position of Sweden would be cor
| respondingly weakened. On the other
hand If the union is upheld and cemented
into an earnest brotherhood, all causes
for friction and mutual distrust being re-
moved. the chances are that in the hour
| Of danger united Scandinavia will be able
to place obstacles in the way of the in
vader which may make even mighty Rus
STA hesitate to begin the attack. Sweden
| Is constantly increasing and improving
her naval and land defenses and is bring
ing her army to high state Of efficiency.
In Norway, in the course Of few years
the navy, at large outlay of money, has
been brought from a state of "innocuous
desuetude" into very fine degree OF
| efficiency. the sea approaches to the cap
| ital have been secured by formidable de-
lenses, the army has been reorganized
But still greater sacrifices must be made
I to make quick and effective mobilization
and transport alton of the troops possible
And, above all, the present fear and sus-
picion of our Swedish allies must be for
ever removed, so that instead of squan-
dering our money on extended lines Of
Notifications on the Swedish border we
may concentrate all our efforts on secur-
ing the northern part Of the country
against Russian attack, and be in readi-
ness promptly and effectively to bring {
well-drilled and we'll equipped army tt
the support Of the Swedish army, whe1
the fate of the Scandinavian peninsula il
| to be decided
A feeling of true brotherhood, of IN
questioning mutual reliance in life ant
death must supplant the present feeling
of distrust and doubt II victory is to percl
on our banners in the coming struggle
"The union. one and indivistble, now ant
forever" must become the WatchWord OF
both sides Of the border. ~
The Norwegian Demands.
Under the circumstances it is mos
gratifying thing to note that last {
practical step has been taken toward the
final solution of the great question pend
ing between Norway and Sweden: the es
tablishment Of separate Norwegian con
sular service. This measure has been OF
the program of the liberal party for {
great many years and think that by th1
time all sensible Norwegians, regardless
of party applications. regard it a.
eminently fit and proper that Norway
whose commercial interests in many 10
calities are widely divergent from ant
even antagonistic to those OF SWedel
should have her own consular representa-
} tives appointed by and responsible to tn
Norwegian government.
But the liberal party committed the sal
mistake of raising another issue befor
this question was settled by advancing tn
demand for separate Norwegian foreigl
office, independent of that of Sweden, !
, measure which in the opinion Of al
! Swedes and Of great many Norwegian
: would eventually bring about the d1srup
ton Of the union. While the Swedes OF
} sober consideration might have been will
ing to accede to the demand for sep
r arate consular service, this new an
extravagantly impolitic demand united al
parties in Sweden in one unanimous pro
, test against Norwegian encroachment
and thus no real advance has bee
, made towards q practical solution. Blu
: the Russian scare has already born