The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-15
A GREATER SCANDINAVIA
Possible Union of Three Nations in a.
Great Power.
By w. B. CHAMBERLAIN,
Mananihc Ediknn ~

SASo0 \ OWS!s
BY w. B. CHAMBERLAIN,
Managing Editor Of The Journal.
Copyright, 1905, by The minneapolis Journal.
Christiania, Norway, July 2O-The
dream of 9! greater Scandinavia is one
that appeals to the imagination. It is
a dream, too, that may one day be real
lied, inauspicious tho the present mo-
ment may seem for it's ever passing
from the realm Of fancy to that of
reality; Indeed, here in Norway, where
in itself the practical and the theoreti-
cal, hard-headed commonsense and bril-
liant idealism, a united Scandinavia is
the not distant future. o. Thommes-
sen, the chief editor Of Verdens Gang
(World>s> Doings), one Of Christiania $
leading dailies, is among those who sees
up a great Scandinavian power in the
north. Like most well-informed Nor
wegians,. he believes that the union
crisis will, in it's settlement, lead to
better and more friendly relations be-
tween Norway and Sweden than have
existed at any time in the history Of
the union.
n That unfortunate pact, which the
guarded their complete liberty and in
dependence, but which most Swedish
statesmen have looked upon as the gem
erous terms granted by a victorious to
conquered nation, has provoked dis
sension almost from the first. Carl
Johan, the first Bernadotte. came with
his. troops to conquer Norway, but the
resistance of the .Norwegians and the
which made it likely that Europe would
take Norway's side rather than his in a
union. II is s' matter of history history that hat
he never intended it to stand, but
rather intended at the first opportunity
to change Norway s status to depend
ent one. His first attempt to carry out
the forerunner Of long series of dis
putes and controversies, which have
kept the two nations embroiled ever
since. The Norwegians believe that
their radical, action in dissolving the
union, once it is accepted by Sweden and
recognized by the nations Of the world,
will remove all cause for controversy
ually bring them into the closest social,
political and commercial relations.
There would be in a united Scan
| dinavia,'' said Mr.. Thomessen, near
ly 100000 people. Five and halt
| millions Of these live in Sweden, while
| in Norway and Denmark there are two
and half million each. A tripartite
federation Of these three countries for
certain we'll defned purposes would be
I a much better arrangement than that
+ under which Norway has chafed for Sc
long. AS there would be three par
ties to it, there would be little danger
Of any one of them striving to gain
the upper hand. Denmark and Nor
way would always be an offset to, Swe.
den. AS the nations are SO nearly re-
lated, as their languages are so much
alike, as their interests in many ways
are identical, arfederation would be
| Of great benefit. We should no longer
be dependent on the jealousy of the
| great powers for preserving the integri
ty Of our territories as neutrals. We
should be strong enough to defend our
selves If necessary.
What is the chief obstacle in the
way Of the realization Of this dream
Mr.. Thomessen? I asked.
Undoubtedly it is the widely vary
ing social and political conditions II
the Scandinavian countries. Norway j:
4 far in advance Of Denmark and Swede1
in its adoption Of democratic and lib
eral ideas. Indeed, we Of Norway have
always possessed these rights and priv