The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-06-28
DISSOLUTION OF UNION
Norway Declares Her Separation
From Sweden.
QUIET IN CHRISTIANA, NORWAY

Storthins Empowers Present State Coun-
Gil to Act as a Government Until
Further Notice - Address TO King
Oscar Adopted Declaring Kindly
Feeling For Him and His Dynasty
Christiana, Norway.-The Storthing
declared the union between Norway
End Sweden under one king dissolved,
and that the King had ceased to act as
King of Norway. The Storthing fur
ther empowered the present State
Council to act as a Government of Nor
way. until further notice, and to e1er-
else the power heretofore appertainins
to the King. This action was a sequel
to King Oscars refusal to sanction the
bill passed by the S%torthing providing
for a separate consular service for Nor
way. -,,..
An address to the King. was adopted.
declaring that no ill-feeling was enter
tanned against him, his dynasty. or the
Swedish nation, and asking him to co.
operate in the selection of a young
prince of the house of Bernadotte to
occupy the throne of Norway.
At the opening Of the session the
Government informed the StOrthing
that it relinquished office. The Storth
ing thereupon and without debate
passed all address to the King here
with given in part as follows:
aTnDr NToioStr -. IEhQraoS all fln
members Of the Council of State have
laid down their offices.
Whereas. His Majesty. the King, has
declared himself unable to establish a
new government for the country; and
Whereas, The constitutional regal
power thus becomes imperative,
'.The Storthing authorizes the MEM
bers Of the Council Of State who re.
tired to exercise until further notice,
as the Norwegian Government, the
power appertaining to the King. in ac-
cordance with Norway's Constitution
and existing laws, with those changes
which are necessitateG by the fact that
the union with Sweden under n king
is dissolved in consequence OF the
King having ceased to act as 4 Norwe-
gian King.
"The course of developments which
have proved more powerful than the
desire and will of individuals has led
to this result. Tile union entered upon
in 1914 has from the first hour been
differently interpreted by the two ma
tions, both with regard to its spirit and
letter. Efforts have been made on the
Swedish side to extend the union and
on the Norwegian side to confne 1t to
the limit laid down by the Act OF
Union. and otherwise to assert the in
dependent power of 10th States in all
matters not defined in that act as COM
ing under the union. The difference OF
principle in the Interpretation OF the
character of the union has provoked
much misunderstanding between the
two peoples and has caused much
friction in the Interpretation, which,
during the recent negotiations between
the two countries has been laid down
by Sweden as against Norway"
After the Storthing had adopted the
resolution President Bermcr, in a short
speech, emphasized the serious impor-
tance,of the step taken. and concluded
with saying: MAY God protect the
Fatherland!' The whole assembly
joined in the presidents devout wish.
NJ. Nicholson. the retiring premier,
accepted, in behalf of the Government,
the honorable and difficult task with
which the Storthing had entrusted it"
Five Social Democrats disSellted
from the address to the King.
Although the action Of the StorthinS
was anticipated, it caused considerable
excitement in this city OH account OF
the anxiety rs to what the King would
do. The crisis became acute on May
%, when, after three months rest, dur
ing which the regency was confided to
Crown Prince Gustave. he resumed the
reins of Office. The Council Of State
Immediately submitted to him the con-
sular bill, which on May % he refused
to sanction, arguing that any ACTON
must receive the sanction OF the mixed
council. The Norwegian Council OF
State thereupon resigned, and the
King refused to accept their resigna-
tions. as, in view of the state Of public
opinion. it was impossible to form a
new government. Demonstrations were
held throughout the country endorsing
the action of the Council Of State.
Perfect order prevailed throughout
the city. Crowds assembled all day III
front of the Stortning buildings and
;yociferously cheered the members of
the Government es they left. When
NJ. Bermer appeared a military band
struck up the national anthem, and the
people uncovered. formed i'll a double
row and saluted him respectfully as he
passed.