Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-21
THE R|KsDAG OPENED.
Extraordinary less IN of the
Swedish Parlia nent.
KING OSCARS ADDRESS
DELIVERED In PERSON WITH
USUAL STATE CEREMONIAL.
Bill Introduced Seeking to Negotiate
With Norwegian Storthing for
Settlement of Dissolution.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, June 21.-The ex-
tracrdinary session of the riksdag sum-
moned by King Oscar, to deal with the
momentous question raised by Norway's
declaration dissolving the union. met for
business today AS forecasted by the As
sociated Press yesterday the government
Immediately introduced bill asking for
authorization to enter into negotiations
with the Norwegian strothing and draw
up conditional settlement of the ques-
tions involved in the separation of the
heretofore dual kingdom.
The session was opened by King Oscar in
person with the usual ceremonial.
Royalty Present.
The members of the royal family and the
members of both houses having previously
attended divine service in the royal chapel,
assembled in the immense state hall of
the parliament building. The queen, the
princesses, and the ladies of the court who
wore evening dresses with jewels. occupied
a gallery on the left, and the diplOmatists,
wearing court uniforms, were seated in the
right-hand gallery, while the spaces open
to the public were filled with people.
King Oscar arrayed in the royal robes of
purple and ermine. with the crown on his
head and the scepter in his hand, the
princes in their robes of ermine and blue
and with their coronas on and the high
court functionaries in full uniform, with
their ribbons and stars, marched in process
sion into the hall while the national an
them was played
The king seated himself on the throne,
massive high-seated structure OF solid sill
yer, raised a high dias. There, sur
his majesty's commanding figure and white
hair under the glittering crown. his gray
beard and fine-cut features wearing an ex-
preston of great gravity, attracted the
sympathy of the whole concourse.
The state marshal having taken the kings
orders, gave signal, the audience rose and
the king, i'll clear, sonerous voice, which
was heard throughout the hall, read his
speech.
For a Pacific Solution
The king made a speech from the throne,
in which he protested against the charge
that by violation of the constitution he had
provoked the steps taken by Norway.
In the council of state, which sanctioned
the Introduction Of the bill in the riksdag
dealing with the dissolution crisis. both
the king and the premier were on the side
of pacific solution.
Premier Ramstedt spoke first, pointing
out that 1t was not to Sweden's interest to
resort to coercive measures He recon-
mended, therefore, entering Into negotfa-
tions for convention by which guarantees
should be obtained conducive to the mutual
welfare of the two countries. In any case,
he declared, negotiations were indispensable
to definitely clear up the situation.
The premier suggested that delegates be
appointed to this end, as 1t was only after
such conditional settlement and after the
riksdag had fully considered the matter
that Sweden would be in a position to de-
eide as to her definitive approval of the dis
solution and agree to annulling the act OF
union.
King Oscars Address.
After several members had acquiesced in
the premiers views King Oscar. with WIS.,
fble emotion, spoke as follows: TT is
painful step which the council of state calls
on me to take. My conscience tells me that
I have during my long reign always str1ven
toward the object I had in mind at the
time of my accession, namely. the welfare
of the brother peoples. It Is truly painful
to me to contribute to the dissolution of a
union in which / thought saw the inda-
pendence, security and happiness of the
united kingdoms. If. however, am ready
to act thus 1t Is in order to avoid a still
worse evil and in the conviction that the
union without mutual accord would bring
no real advantage to Sweden.
IT have acted" the king said "in ac-
cordance with my conscience and always
in conformity with the constitution and
with the desire to work conscientiOusly for
bill presented to the riksdag does not aim
at replying to injustice by acts of coercion.
The union Is not worth the sacrifices which
acts of correction would entail. A union into
which Norway would be forced in such
manner would be of little value to Swe-
den."
The king concluded with expression of the
hope that the Swedish people would be
guided by calmness and prudence and that
God would give them strength and unity to
regain within their own frontiers what they
had lost by the dissolution Of the union.
His majesty showed marked emotion
when he referred to the recent events in
Norway and affirmed that his action was
dictated by regard for the true welfare Of
the two countries His speech was heard in
tense silence, and there were tears in many
eyes, while the stern gravity of the ma
iority Of the faces gave evidence of deep
appreciation OF the momentousness of the
occasion.
When the king had concluded the presi-
dents Of the chambers stepped forward and
conveyed to him assurances of the devotion
of the chambers to his majesty.