Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1905-06-10
INDEPENDENCE Of NORWAY.
DECLARED BY STORTHING
ON GREAT COURT"
The Act of Secession Is Passed BY
a Unanimous Vote of The
Members of The
Stotthing.

Stofthing.
The legislature of Norway has de-
clared her independence of the rule OF
Sweden's king, and should the disso-
luton of the union now nearly hun
dred years old become an accomplish
| ed fact, without a resort to arms. ii
will form great precedent for the tri-
umph of moral strength over brute
| force,
The act of secession. as ii passed the
Storthing unanimously. is tefse and
to the point:
Whereas all the members of the
council OF state have laid down their
offices,
Whereas his majesty the King has
declared himself unable to establish a
new government for the country and
Whereas the constitutional regal
power has become imperative, the
iAl.LEl SIX.
Storthing authorizes the members of
the council of state. who retired to-
day, to exercise until further notice,
as the Norwegian government, the
power appertainlng TO the king, in
accordance with Norway's constitu-
tion and existing laws. with those
changes which are necessitated by the
fact that the union with Sweden un-
der one King is dissolved in conse-
quence OF the King having ceased to
act as a Norwegian King.
Similar action on the part of Nor
way was averted half a century ago
only by the wisdom and tact of the
present Kings predecessor, Charles
XIV. Indeed, that a union between
these peoples who though close neigh
bors, are so dissimilar in their tradi-
tions, their history, their customs,
their dialects. should have existed
since 1914, when by the policy and
through the might of the foreign pow
ers the union was effected is some
what remarkable. The cause of pres
ent action is very plainly set out in
the act of the Storthing and in the ad
dress sent with it TO King Oscar, which
state among other relevant issues
that:
1.-The union entered upon in 1914
has from the first hour been different
ly interpreted by the two nations,
both with regard to its spirit and
letter. Efforts have been made on
the Swedish side TO extend the union
and on the Norwegian side to confine
it to the limit laid down by the act OF
union.
1.-The difference of principle in the
Interpretation of the character of the
union has provoked much misunder.
standing between the two people and
has caused much friction in the inter
probation. which, during the recent
negotiation between the two coun-
tries, has been laid down by Sweden
as against Norway. The Norwegian
people were bound to perceive the
injury to their constitutional right,
their independence and their national
honor.
"But above the union there stands
| for us Norwegians our Norwegian
| fatherland and for the Swedes their
Swedish fatherland, while more valu-
able than the political union are the
| feelings of solidarity and voluntary
cohesion of both peoples. The union
has become a danger TO this feeling
of solidarity of the Norwegian anC
Swedish peoples which should secure
the happiness of both nations and con
stitute their strength abroad.
GAS evidence of the fact that the
work and struggle of the Norwegian
| people for the full independence Of
/ the fatherland has not been foundes
/ on any i'll feeling toward the roya
house or the Swedish people, and hal
| not left behind any bitterness TOWARD
either of these, the Storthing respect
/ fully solicits your majesty's co-Opera
l ton to the end that a prince of you
majesty's house may be permitted
| while relinquishing his right of sue
i cession to the throne of Sweden, II
accept election as King of Norway.
| While it is not probable that th'
King will accede to this last request,
| it is also unlikely that a resort Il
arms will be forced upon Norway
| The Swedish Riksdag is called Il
| meet on the Goth instant to take &C
ton in the premises. 1t is said tina
failing a ruler in the person of a de
scendent of Bernadotte, the Danisl
/ prince, Waldermar. third son of KIM
| Christian, will be sought. The othe
powers will no doubt be heard from
but in any case the old Morse spirit o
their ancestors, who thousand year
ago were the terror of all Europe
will serve the Norwegian people &
battle for the accomplishment of thei
independence.
Although the King refuses to receiv
the deputation from Norway, tn
council is authorized by the Storthin
is proceeding with the reorganization
of the governmental departments, sub
stitution of the new flag for that O
the union, changes in the prayer book
in that the tide seems turning toward
republican form of government Il
case the offer of a crown to Prime
Waldermar is refused. The establish
ment of a republic ultimately woui'
seem the more likely as the women O
Norway already have the electio
franchise.