The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1903-08-14
A MORTGAGED CITY.
Wismar, on the Baltic Sea, Pawned
Hundred Years Ago.
Sweden ReIInquIshes Claim and the
City l. Coded 10 Emperor Will
liam Why La Was
Pledged.

By the action of the Swedish riksdag
thu city OF Wismar and the surround
ing territory in the duchy OF Mecklen-
burg-Schwerin, Germany, has just been
coded to Emperor William. The city,
which is one of the best seaports on the
Baltic, and during the middle ages was
a powerful Hanse town, came under
Swedish dominion through the West
pnalian peace in 164S. In 1893 the city
was pledged to Mecklenburg for 100
years, Sweden receiving some S2,OOO,OOO,
saws the New York Times.
The hundred years mortgage period
came to a close on June 20, but the
formal cession was not to take place
until August 10. The occasion will be
signalized by great festivities in the old
city, which for the first time after more
than $50 years will be in the full en-
ioyment of her ancient rights and privl-
leges. The claim of Sweden, while only
of a contingent nature, has caused mucn
confusion and difficulty. On account OF
It Wismar has been without representa-
ton in the diet, and Emperor William
himself has been compelled to issue all
edicts having reference to Wismar In
the name of foreign monarch, the king
of Sweden. Many legal entanglcments
In connection with property titles and
the record of deeds have also resulted
from the peculiar situation.
Although Wismar was pledged with
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 IL
excess of any amount the Swedish treas
ury would be in 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
~ proposed-would have caused 1t 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.
1t goes beyond saying that the sur
render has aroused great deal OF sentl-
mental regret among all classes In
Sweden. Wismar was the last OF
Swedens foreign possessions, and Wv
idly recalled to the patriot great era
N 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
10 victory against tremendous odds and
for disinterested purpose, and which
ended by Sweden holding enough OF
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
more firmly already existing bonds OF
friendship. A deputation of citizens
from Wismar is now visiting the Swed-
ish capital as the nations guests.
How Wismar came to be pledged Is
rather an interesting story. Gustavus
hdolphus w, a namesake Of the king
| through whom the city was won, be-
lieved that in a vision he had been
intrusted with the awful mission OF
hunting down Napoleon, who at that
| time was terrorizing Europe The
Swedish treasury was empty, and, with
out consulting the riksdag. he pawned
the city 1t was primarily this act that
| caused him to be deposed and exiled
| through peaceful coup d'etat