Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-07-18
A MORTGAGED CITY.
Wismar, on the Baltic Sea, Pawned
 Hundred Years Ago.
Sweden Relfnquishes Claim and the City Is Caded to Emperor will
 liam Why 1t Was 2 Pledged.

By the action of the Swedish riksdag ahe city of Wismar and the surround ing territory in the duchy of Mecklen- burg-Schwerin, Germany, has just been ceded to Emperor William The city, which is one of the best seaports on the Baltic, and during the middle ages was 8 powerful Hanse town, came under Swedish dominica through the West phalian peace in 1648. In 1903 the city was pledged to Mecklenburg for 100 years, Sweden receiving some $2,000,000. says the New York Times
 The hundred years mortgage period came to a close on June 26, but the formal cession was not to take place until August 19. The occasion will be signaized by great festivities in the old city, which for the first time after more than 250 years will be in the full en- 5oyment of her ancient rights and privi leges. The claim of Sweden, while only of a contingent nature, has caused much confusion and difficulty. On account o. it Wismar has been without representa- tion in the diet, and Emperor William himself has been compelled to issue all edicts having reference to Wismar in SAAO AeSAhO oA S8 1ol CAE3A 1uOAdlO OA, thO h1A6 of Sweden. Many legal entanglements in connection with property titles and the record of deeds have also resulted from the peculiar situation.
 Although Wismar was pledged with 8 right of renewal for another hundred years, there has been no thought of ever taking advantage of this proviso. With the interest which has accrued the sum necessary to redeem the city is far in excess of any amount the Swedish treas ury would be in 8 position to disburse at the present time, especially for. possession from which no commercial or political advantage could be de- rived. There is no doubt that Emperor William-had the renewal been serious ly proposed-wouId have caused it to be abandoned by bringing pressure to bear which the little kingdom in the north would be in no position to resist.
 The surrender of Wismar was uncon- ditional and without consideration, al- though the action of the riksdag was preceded by heated debate, in the course of which many propositions were made and voted down. One of these was to secure in exchange for the sur render certain concessions for Dem mark In the territory lost in the Prus- sian war of 1864. This was purely senti- mental and did not commend itself to the more practical members of the legis- lative body. Then proposition was made with a view to having Germany make Wismar free harbor for the entry of Swedish products, but this was also negatived.
 It goes beyond saying that the sur- render has aroused great deal of senti- mental regret among all classes in, Sweden. Wismar was the last of Sweden's foreign possessions, and viv- idly recalled to the patriot great era in the history of the country of which every Swede is justly proud The city was won through the Thirty Years war, in which Swedish arms were carried to victory against tremendous odds all for disinterested purpose, and which ended by Sweden holding enough Or German territory to be entitled to three seats in the German diet.
 But to offset this it is generally rec ognized that the generous action of the riksdag has won grateful response all over Germany and served to cement