The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-07-25
DIR. SVEN HEDIN's APPEAL
Wants Swedish Americans to Raise
Money for the Fatherland s Defense.

DR.. Sven Hedin, the Swedish explorer,
has made himself somewhat conspicuous
in the discussion of the political situa-
ton in Scandinavia. DR.. Hedin is q
rather excitable man, and probably
does not WELD the influence in Scan
dinavian affairs which he supposes him.
self to exercise. However, on account
plorer, what he has to say. is attracting
| good deal Of attention, both in Scan
dinavia and in America TIL J our r
n a is in receipt today of an open let
ter from DR.. Hedin addressed 'sTo
| the Swedes in America" making an
appeal for help for military defense.
His letter is dated at Stockholm,
July 10.
He says that recent events should
warn all Swedes Of the dangers which
threaten the fatherland. He cites the
gradual aggression of Russia on the east
| and anticipates still greater danger
from that source now that the Jap has
shut Russia out Of the Pacific. Russia, !
he assumes, must have access to the sea
somewhere, and may be expected to
look for it now in northwestern Europe.
/ The union Of Sweden and Norway has
been barrier in the past. With Scan
dinavia no longer united, the danger il
increased. Furthermore, Hedin antici-
pates that Russian aggression viii con.
vert Norwegian coast cities into har.
/ bors for Russian warships.
I Sweden, he assumes, will no longer
prove defense to Norway. Further
more, he is apprehensive that Sweden
will suffer from Norway. He recog-
. nizes that such thought may strike
Swedish-Americans who live in friend
ship with Norwegian Americans as pc
culiar, and yet he would have them re-
gard Norway as an enemy to their home
country.
In a very pessimistic vein he antici-
pates conflict between the Scandinavian
! peoples and berates the people Of
Sweden at home for their Indifference
to what he regards as threatening dan
ger. He warns them that while they.
"gather around festival dinners and
punch bowls they are surrounded by old
ON the edge of Volcano
i 'swar in the Air.
He says that Sweden 8 twelve battle
ships are insufficient to defend the
Swedish coasts; that there is war in
people sleep "they sleep the sleep Of
the innocent and Indifferent. Ancient
4 Swedish might has become paralyzed
and somnolent under centuries of peace
and has totally forgotten the posi-.
bility of war. Some day it will be
awakened by the trumpets of war. God
give that we do not then awaken in
serfdom.
cit comes hard to speak reproachful
words Of one IS own people, but it is true
that our old faith, manhood and prog
ress in fair way to die The
generations which formerly brought
honor to the Swedish name thruout the
world have long since disappeared, and
even today our people are injured by
emigration to America. To the great
republic, which is mighty force OF
ability and enterprise. the best element
of our people feel themselves drawn;
there they have won recognition and
{ fortune. But they have robber their old
t home Of the strength it needs so much.
Sweden cannot bear such continual
bleod-letting at time when the people
threaten to become stupefied thru in
l difference and contempt for our great
> memories.