Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-09-21
LET THERE BE PEACE.

The possibilities in case of war
between Norway and Sweden are so
great that a peace loving world turns
away from their contemplation. It'll
seems hardly possible that disagree
ment between these two little Scandi
navian states should pave the way for
a struggle that would destroy the bal
ance of power in Europe and might
draw into great war every nation on
the continent, together with England.
But the fact remains that this is true.
The latest news from the scene of
the negotiations for peace is encour-
aging and it is to be hoped that the
difficulty will be adjusted amicably.
However, there will need to be re-
ceding from the stands so firmly TAX
en- by both sides. The Swedish people
are insistent upon terms of separation
which will leave Norway practically
defenseless on land, through the dis
mantling the forts on the frontier. The
Norwegians on the other hand declare
that war is preferable to such condi-
tons which will grant Norway only
the shadow of independence the west
ern country being subject at any time
to invasion by Sweden and a reduc-
ton to a state of virtual vassalage.
In these conditions it may soon be-
come the duty of the outside powers
with no selfish motives to intervene,
to put an end to quarrel which can
have only disastrous results. The
Scandinavian schism is fraught with
perils for the peace of Europe. Iso-
lated geographically the peninsula is
nevertheless an important factor in
the continental equation. Russia's de-
sires with respect to it are well under
stood and Germany's plans have not
been furthered by the project of sep
aration. There is well-formed be-
| lief that these two powers are throw
ing obstacles in the way Of peace
full settlement of the difficulties.
England prefers to see the northern
edge Of the continent broken up into
small states AMI 1t is well understood
| that the separation project is
warmly endorsed on the western
side of the North Sea on that ground
alone. Any weakening Of the Scandi-
navian national existence whether in
single or dual form, would invite Rus.
sian enterprise and one of the favorite
nightmares of John Bull is the specter
of the Russian bear creeping to the
edge of the North Sea and thrusting
out his paw to reaching distance OF
the English coast.
OF the other northern continental
powers France is in a degree in.
clined to favor Sweden and to check
the separation movement, both on &C.
count of friendship for Russia and
/ personal regard for the Bernadotte dy
nasty, which is of French origin. But
France has taken no part thus far, at
least in the open in the movement for
or against separation, and it is not be-
lieved that the Paris government will
allow itself to be drawn into the quar-.
rel in any marked manner.
It may be that the good offices OF
the United States will yet be employ
ed to prevent struggle. There are
large numbers of both Norwegians
and Swedes in this country A feeling
of marked good will exists here for ali
! Scandinavians 1t may be that there
is a preponderance of sympathy for
Norway, but in any case there is dis
/ tinct belief that it would be atrocious
i to permit these two peoples to fall
upon each other because Of a difficulty