Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-06-22
But King Oscar Believes
Secession Of Norway '
VIII Prevent Worse Evils and
Advocates Peaceful Solution.


Stockholm, Sweden. June 21.-The ex-
traordinary session Of the Riksdag
summoned by King Oscar to deal with
the momentOus question raised by Nor
ways declaration dissolving the union.
met for business today. The govern
ment Immediately introduced a bill
asking for authorization to enter into
negotiations with the Norwegian Stor-
thing and draw up a conditional set
Element of the questions involved in the
separation of the heretofore dual king
dom. The council Of state which sane
toned the Introduction of the bill in
the Riksdag dealing with the dissolu-
ton crisis and both the King and pre-
mier we're on the side of pacific So
luton.
Premier Ramstadt, at meeting of
the council Of state, yesterday, declared
that 1t was not to Sweden's interest to
resort to coercive measures. He recon-
mended entering into negotiations 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 it was on
Iy after such a conditional settlement
and after the Riksdsg had fully con-
sidered the matter that Sweden would
be in a position to decide as to her def
mite approval Of the dissolution and
agree to annulling the act Of union.
After several members had acqui-
esced in the premier's views, King Os-
car, with visible emotion, spoke as fol-
lows:
1T is a painful step which the Coun-
ell Of state calls on me to take. My
conscience tells me that l have during
by long reign always striven toward
the object had In mind at the time Of
by accession, namely the welfare of
the brother peoples. 1t is truly painful
to me to contribute to the dissolution
of union in which 1 thought I saw
the Independence. security and happi-
ness of the united kingdom. If, however,
l am ready to act thus, 1t is in order
to avoid still worse evil and in the
conviction that the union without mu-
tual accord would bring no real advan-
taee to Sweden"
Il have acted, ne SAID, IN accord
ance with my conscience and always in
conformity with the constitution. The
bill presented to the Riksdag does not
ann at replying to injustice by acts OF
coercion. A union into which Norway
would be forced in such manner
would be of little value to Sweden"
The King concluded with expressing
the hope that God would give the
Swedish people strength and unity to
regain within their own frontiers what
they had lost by the dissolution of the
union.
The members Of the royal family and
the members of both houses assembled
in the immense state hall of the Par
lament building. The Queen. the
Processes and the ladies of the court
occupied n gallery on the left and the
diplomatists were seated in the right
hand gallery. while the spaces open to
the public were filled with people
King Oscars speech was heard in in
tense silence and there were tears in
many eyes while the stern gravity NJ
the majority of the faces gave evil
dcnce Of deep appreciation of the mo-
righteousness Of the occasion.
When the King had concluded. the
presidents of the Chambers stepped
forward and conveyed to him assur-
ances Of tie devotion of the Chambers
to His Majesty.