Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-06-10
The Secession Of Norway.

ing and enlightening account of the
trouble between Norway and Sweden
which is so prominently before the
world at the present time. Although
Mr.. Tanberg is Norwegian and Who'll
ly loyal to his native land, he does not
write his article in the spirit Of parti-
sanship but in the honest effort to
throw historical light upon 4 compli-
Gated situation which is little under
stood by Americans in general. A
careful reading of his statements and
views will enable our readers to follow
more intelligently the news which the
cable is daily bringing us from the
Scandinavian peninsular. Mr.. Tanberg
writes US as follows:
Editors Kennebec Journal:
In view Of the many lcose and mis-
leading newspaper reports concerning
the political relation between Norway
and Sweden, and the events which have
led up to the dissolution of the union, !
trust you will grant me a little space
.
IS they are known in Scandinavia, and
recorded in the standard histories of
Norway. A Boston paper informs us
that the union between Norway and
Sweden was affected as a means of
mutual protection against the Russians,
and that fer over a hundred years the
Norwegians have been anxious to dis
solve the marriage between the two
Kingdoms. This is poor information.
Now, it IS hardly to be expected that
the Americans should make a study Of
the details Of Scandinavian history.
Since that cold November night, in
171S, when the career of King Charles
the Twelfth, Of Sweden. was suddenly
terminated before the ramparts Of
Fredrikssteen. the part played by Scan
dinavia on the worlds political arena
has been so insignificant, that the his
torians Of the world have almost lost
sight of it. This, however, is not to say
that Scandinavia has been politically
dead. and the present crisis bears wit
ness 10 long and painful political agi-
tation.
The cause Of this agitation is rooted
deeply in the heart Of European his
tory; and perhaps it is bound up, more
closely than We realize, with the con-
figuration of the map Of modern Eu-
rope. When Napoleon was at the
height Of his career.-when the glori-
GUS sun Of Austerlitz" had risen over
the Man Of Destiny,-the allied powers
stood bewildered and trembling, with
no force In sight of sufficient magni-
tude to deal with the situation. Even
after his disastrous expedition to Rus
STA, man like Goethe could say to the
European nations, You may shake
your chains; but that man is too
strong for you" 1t was then that the
eyes of the allies fell upon the man who
was supposed to know the ms and outs
of the tactics of Napoleon better than
any other living soldier because he had
been trained under the very eyes of the
Emperor, and had won for him many 4
glorious victory-PIince Bernadotte,
king of Sweden. He had previously
been a general in Napoleons army,
and the allies were justified in think
Ing that, If there was man on earth
that could conquer Napoleon, it was
BernadOtte. They approached him ac-
cordingly. and told him that, if he
WOuiu dSStst tIltlII III tHe COIuIIS CALL.
paign, and help them to drive Napole-
on out of Europe, they would recon-
pense him by giving him Norway as an
addition to his crown. This was too
much of a temptation for Bernadotte:
and, as is well known, in that series of
battles which ended in the complete
TOut of the French forces at Leipzig,
the Swedish army took Il prominent
part, and contributed materially to the
final defeat Of the Emperor. Napoleon
said afterwards, in abiding to Berna-
dotte. Il have nourishcd serpent in
my own bosom" When it was thought
that the Emperor was forever shut up
in Elba, the Swedish king demanded
his pay, and the allied powers took
steps to make good their promise. Fer
four hundred years Norway had been
united with Denmark, and now the al
lied powers gave the Danish king to
understand that this union must be dis
solved and Norway be given to Swed-
en-. AS the Danish king could do moth
ing to defend his possessions against
practically the whole of Europe, he adj
dressed letted to tire Norwegians, and
absolved them from their oath of allie
glance to him. He advised them to ac-
ceIt the situat ton as gracefully as they
could, and wished them all success in
their new relations.
What now took place in Norway be-
longs to that class of Incidents that
humanity can never forget. Here was
people without means of defence,
crushed and broken through four hun
dred years Of despotic lule by the
Danes-and now they were to be sold
like cattle to a Francnman who had
gained the Swedish throne, partly
through personal intrigue and partly
through the all important desire of
Napoleon himself. The best trick
can play on England said he, lis to
place Bernadotte on the throne Of
Sweden" The irony Of fate! But the
Norwegians were not 70 be sold. In
this tremendous crisis OF their national
history the Norwegians rose to the
occasion. Representative men were
hastily summoned from all parts Of the
land to discuss the situation, and
measures were adopted to secure the
independence Of Norway in spite of
Bernadotte and in spite q: Europe. A
committee was appointed to draw up a
constitution. and this committee met