The Washington times., 1905-06-08
RUSSIA SEES WAY
TO THE ATLANTIC.
Diplomats Thus Interpret
Scandinavian Crisis.
MAY OPEN DOOR TO OCEAN
Suggested That This Opportunity Re-
comedies Car to Hunliliating
Peace With Japan.

Defeated in her ambitious projects in
the Far East, Russia may suddenly ind
opportunity to turn her attention again
toward the West. and. taking advan-
tage of the dissensions between the two
members of the Scandinavian dual gov
ernment, seek an outlet to the Attain
tic Ocean from one of the splendid ice
free ports of Norway
This is one of the possibilities of the
crisis in Scandinavia, and already 1t is
seriously discussed in circles, where IN
ternational affairs are Of first interest
For two generations the fear of Rus
sia has been the cement that had neld
together Sweden and Norway The fear
of Russia has been brought to an end
since Japan began inf1icting the, series
of humiliating defeats that has marked
the present war Suddenly released
from this bondage of fear, Norway has
pressed as never before her demands
for fairer representation in the dual gov
ernment. and finally, convinced that
no other course would bring results has
formally seeded from the union
Striking Coincidence.
It is at least an interesting coinci-
dence that on the very day when Rus
sia was reported to have made admis-
. sion that she was defeated in the Far
E,s. and to have intimated willing
ness to learn peace terms, the Scandi-
ma avian union should have been dis
solved.
Thus the door, of approach to the
Atlantic was opened to Russia at the
very moment when her window on the
opeu Pacific seemed to have been closed
Scandinavian unity has long been tne
only thing that prevented hussla IRON ON
making determined efforts TO reacn tnc
Atlantic across the peninsula with
the Mortimer divided in government.
and ready to develop rivalries In trace
and interests, Russia will ma her own
kind of opportunity to widen the breach
and then TO throw herself into IT,
This is the outcome most reared py
conservative, thoughtful public men OIL
both Sweden and Norway. Norway's de-
n,and fer separate administration OF It's
foreign affairs. commercial and politl-
cal, has become more earnest as NOT
wegian maritime interests have grown
Norway is now one of the leading ship
ping countries of the world. Yet II Is
Insisted by Der people that the diplo-
matte and consular representatives OF
the dual nation controlled and appoint
ed under Swedish influence, have de-
voted themselves to effort on behalf OF
Sweden and to the disadvantage of Nor
way. This constituted a commercial
handicap which Norway felt could not
be. borne.
Russia's Yelled Hand.
For several years the relations be-
tween Sweden ard Norway have been
growing more tense. IT has repeatedly
been alleged that Russian influence, and
even money, was fostering discord.
Russian diplomacy has for centuries
aimed to reach an open ocean harbor.z
AT the Mediterranean she was driven
back by Britain: at the Pacific Japan
has baked the ambition, and now per-
haps ii may be found that the Scandi-
navian breach viii make new opportu-
nity for advances, this time toward
the west.
"A Russian effort to reach the Nor
Wegian coast would be bitterly opposed
br England. Presumably 1t would also
arouse the objection of Germany but
on his point there is difference of opin-
ion Germany has designs against EoI-
land, which she wants to absorb: and =
Is by no means Impossible. according to
oip!omats that Germany might consent
10 Russian designs against Scandinavia
OF condition of Russian support of Ger
man plans against Holland With Rus
Sa at the Atlantic and Germany at the
2uider Zee, Britain's control of the sea
would be nenaced as never before since
Trafalgar