Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-08-11
lf Sweden and Norway
Should Go to War

Kansas City Star: In these days when
so much is spoken OF the disruption OF
the union between Sweden ard Norway
IL may be interesting to look into the
military establishments OF the two pos
sible ~combatants. These two little
countries Of the north may break the
peace with which they have been
blessed for more than ninety ycars-a
longer period OF peace han either of
them ever before experienced in their
history, SO full OF war between them
selves.
The situation is certainly most com
plicated. Here are two countries, per-
fectiy independent of each other except
AS far as the management or their re-
lations with foreign powers is con-
cerned, which latter is under the direc-
ton Of the Swedish minister of foreign
affairs, though the ministers n con-
suls abroad are both Swedes and Nor
wegians.
They have their own separate armies
and nayies, with nothing in common ex-
cept that the king of Sweden and Nor
way is comrnander-in-chief OF both arm
les and that the princes OF the royal
family are officers in different regi-
ments and in the nayies of both coun-
tires. Thus, up to the time of the re-
cent revolution. nothing could be done
in the way of arming Norway for a
possible conflict without the knowledge
of the king of Sweden, against which
country such action would have been
directed, and, similarly, no preparations
could have been made in Sweden
against n wal without the tacit un-
Outstanding of the king of Norway.
The armies and navies of the two
countries had taken the oath of allie
glance TO the same commander-in-chief,
and therefore they would be expected to
obey orders emanating from him.
However, as far as Norway is con-
cerned the troops have taken a new
oath Of allegiance TO the new temporary
government since the revolution.
A Winter Campaign.
If the two Scandinavian countries
should go to war q winter campaign
m2v ID expected the like OF which mod
ern times have not seen. The war would
no doubt be fought on the borderland
between Sweden and Norway and on
the coasts of Norway. The border con-
sists OF an almost uninterrupted chain
of mountains, through which three rail-
'oad lines have been cut. The interior
of Norway is Very sparsely supplied
with railroads, on account OF h NOUN
,ainous nature OF the country, while in
Sweden, especially In the southern end
and central part, railroads are very
numerous. The very long coast line of
Norway is clear of Ice the yea round,
ever away above the polar circle, where
the influence Of the gulf stream pre-
vents ice forming. This is the reason
for Russia's desire TO obtain a port on
the northern coast Of Norway. The
Swedish ports ON the Baltic. on the con-
trary, are frozen from December to
April, and in the extreme northern end
from October to May.
1t mas. therefore. be expected that.
in case Of war. Sweden would blockade
the coast CT Norway, which. though 1t
is extended. has got only a few good
ports. In fact 1t Is essential for Sweden
TO establish a perfect blockade, al Nor
way would be greatly dependent on
other countries for supplies and NUM-
tions OF var.
The WI countries are both prepared
Tor q wintu campaign. During many