The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-07-17

Copyright, 1908, by The Minneapolis Journal.
Stockholm, Sweden, June 29.-Now
That the first shock Of Norway's de-
sasive act of June 7 has passed away,
he Swedes are becoming quite re-
signed to the dissolution of the union
of the brother peoples, who have lived
so long under one king. Everywhere
here one hears the Revolutionary
act of the storthing, as it is called,
spoken of as an accomplished fact. No
one pretends to think that the divorce
asked for by Norway on the ground of
incompatibility of temper, can in the
end be refused. While official Sweden
is still very far from admitting that
the union is dissolved, and while the
cabinet and the leaders in the riks-
dag Cor Swedish parliament) have
many plans for postponing an imme-
date decision and maintaining the
status quo ante, it is everywhere ad-
mitted in private conversation and
even frankly asserted by some Of the
speakers in the riksdag that union in
which one partner is unwilling and dis
satisfied, can never be Of benefit to
either.
A Thing Accomplished.
And so the independence of Norway
may be considered, as the diplomats
say, I'm fait accompli-a thing that Is
done. The question now is how the
final decree Of divorce may be granted
and duly registered in such way as
to save the honor as we'll as the ma
terial interests of Sweden. It is this
question that is consuming the time
and enlisting the eloquence of the
riksdag members.
Things move slowly in Sweden.
There is much red tape to be unwound
and much conservatism whose inertia
must be overcome before action. can
be taken. Norway, on the other hand,
is energetic and strenuous-perhaps
even radical. It's impetuosity fairly
carried Sweden off her feet when the
revolution came. Sweden had been
dallying with the consular ser
vice question so long and had sue
ceeded in postponing so frequently {
final decision granting the Norwegian
demands that she expected the nego
tiations to go on forever. There came
a time, however, when Norway woule
brook no longer delay and the act o.
June 7 struck Stockholm like thun
derbolt.
Sweden Is Unruffled.
Nevertheless, Sweden is proceeding
In the calmest and most leisurely wa,
to a final settlement with the brothe
nation and in this fact lies the BIS
guarantee that there will be no suc]
folly as resort to arms. Swedish
phlegm has long been exasperating t.
the hotheads of Norway, but it nov
seems likely to prove most usefu
quality in averting the dreadful ca
lamity to all Scandinavia that woul
be involved In the outbreak Of wal
It is true that the Swedish navy ha
been mobilized-as the cables Ion
since told you-that certain regiment
are gathered on the frontier, and tina
leaves of absence have been revoke
and other measures looking towar
preparedness have been taken by til
Swedish authorities. But this is a
mere prudence, such as any wise go7
eminent would show. Indeed, the1
are not wanting those who tell or
quite frankly that it is mere bluff,
the nature of notice to Norway thu
Sweden is ready but not anxious fl
trouble.
The Kings Lament.
King Oscar, as you already kno1
has turned the whole question over
the riksdag. The good old king
whom every Scandinavian loves, be l
Swede or Norwegian-has been mut
burt by the course taken by Norwa
a. hWhy,' he plaintively asks, "cou
Ihey not have waited until I was la
away to rest with my fathers?' B
It would be a great mistake to su
pose that the sturdy old man of tt
house of Bernadotte has been owe
Hhelmed by the revolution.' It
rue that he is bowed down with yea
md that cares Of state have weigh
30 heavily on him that twice he h