The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-06-24
WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK
Why Norway Seeded.
Edi4n. nf mhA Ya.1 -

- i : + =
There seems to exist some misunder-
standing In this country in regard to the
political conditions which have caused
the separation between Norway and Swe-
den, and this miscomprehension of the,
true state Of affairs is evidently common,
not only among the public at large, but
1t seems also to be shared by the news
papers and the politicians as we'll.
AS a starting point it must be borne in
mind that the union between Norway and
Sweden came about as a voluntary agree
ment between the two countries, without
any coercion on either side, both coun-'
tries maintaining their own constitution
intact. Norway did not give up one ves-
tige OF her sovereignty, and the only
change made was this, that she agreed to
have her king and the management of
foreign affairs in common with Sweden.
But the right to have her own foreign
representation was never given up, neither
did Sweden in any way acquire the mon
opoly of conducting the diplomatic af-
fairs Of the dual kingdom.
Any man who will take the trouble to
read the constitution Of Norway will find
| this to be so--written in plain, unn1istak-
able terms. This constitution was recog-
nized by the Swedish government. Every
| king since 1914 has sworn to support it,
and 1t has been the basis of all succeed
ing transactions between the two coun-
tries
One great mistake was made, however,
| and that mistake has caused constant ir-
ritation and trouble on the Scandinavian
peninsula, for nearly one hundred years
reaching its climax in the separation
which has Just taken place. The deplor-
able mistake was this, that no definite,
unmistakable provision was made in re-
! gard to the way of conducting the for
eign affairs Of the united kingdoms
The ruling party in Sweden began al
once to attack Norway's independence
! thru the vulnerable spot referred to above
| OF course Norway never stopped fighting
for her rights and she gained them little
| by little. Each issue was fought out one
by one Finally the consular question
was the only one remaining. This question
was discussed for years, negotiations
were tried, joint conferences We're re
peatedly held between representatives o.
1 the two countries. Finally the unex
pected happened and the Swedish govern
ment really seemed to be willing to settle
the question in a satisfactory way.
A joint committee was appointed con
sisting Of an equal number of Swedish ant
Z. Norwegian members who were given full
authority to settle the question definitely
and both governments were pledged t
accept and abide by the results of thei
work, whatever they might be.
The committee settled the question il
Norway's favor, but Sweden would no
, acquiesce.
Then, Of course, 1t became evident t.
all that nothing could. be accomplished
by way Of negotiations. The patience o
the Norwegian people had been tried t
! the utmost; now even the most petrifie
conservative understood that thru nego
tiations nothing could be done. And tn
result was that party lines became oblit
, Grated Right and left" joined hand
in perfect harmony to fight for the com
mon cause. The Norwegian storthin
unanimously passed a bill providing
separate consula; service for Norway
, did so in perfectly legal way, and &C
cording to the constitution referred t
above Then this bill was presented
the king for his signature He vetoed tn
bill and the result was that the entir
cabinet resigned. The king refused to ac
cept the resigna ton Of his cabinet. Blu
as he could not compel the members
2 serve against their will, and as it wa
impossible for him to find men in Nor
way who would be willing to form ne'
: cabinet, he had placed himself outside {
: the constitution, as the king Of Norwa
cannot rule without cabinet. Ii
Consequently Norway was without
3 government and the @storthing, accordin
to the constitution, had to provide for on
: which they promptly did-not in any revc
lutionary way-but in full conformity wit
the existing laws of the country.
: When all this is true, 1t seems to m
. that Norway has both legal and NOR;
. right to expect the support Of immediat
g recognition by every nation whose mott
q is liberty and justice. s@.
: The Norwegian people will look to tt
United States for just and considerat
5 trea tment during the troubles that al
. still ahead. Christopher JACOBSON.
y Fargo N D.. June %,