The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1905-07-28
RIkspAG COMMITTEE DECLARES
swEDEN;s CONSENT NEcEs.
sARy TO DISSOLUTION.
NORWAY MUST MEET CONDITIONS
IF APPROACHED IN LEGAL WAY
SWEDEN MAY AGREE TO
OPEN NEGOTIATIONS.

Stockholm, July 26.-The special
committee appointed by the riksdag
to deal with the crisis which created
the revolution in Norway has deliv-
cred it's report. The committee de-
clares unanimously that the govern
ment bill cannot be adopted in the
form in which it was presented to the
riksdag and proposes that the riksdag
shall signify its willingness to nego'
tiate with Norway for dissolution of
the union if the newly. elected Norwe-
gian storthing requests a repeal OF
the act of union and dissolution of
the union or if such request is re-
ceived from Norway after the Nor
wegian people, by plebiscite, have
declared in favor of dissolution OF
the union. The committee recon-
mends that in the event of dissolu-
tion of the union Sweden should in
sist on the following terms:
First-The establishment of zone
on each side of the frontier separating
the kingdoms within which the exist
ing Notifications shall be razed and
new fortifications may not be erected.
Second-The right Of pasturing rein
deer belonging to Swedish Lapland-
ers in North Norway.
Third-That transit trade through
both countries shall be secured against
unjustifiable obstruction.
Fourth-That the status of Sweden
in respect to foreign powers as estab-
lished by treaty shall be clearly de-
fined; that Sweden shall be COM
pletely freed from responsibility for
Norway to other states.
The committee also regards an arbi-
tration convention between Sweden
and Norway as desirable. although 1t
does not consider it an essential con-
dition for the dissolution of the union.
The committee further proposes to
authorize the government to raise a
loan of $25,O0O,0OO, which can by a
resolution of the riksdag be made
available for such readjustments and
arrangements as may be .necessitated
by the new conditions.
All Concessions Rejected.
The preamble of the committees re-
port is a lengthy recitation Of the
events leading up to the committees
appointment, claiming that Sweden
made all possible concessions In order
to maintain the union. Despite these
efforts tho differences grew until they
climaxed in the revolution.
'It is self-evident," declares the
committee, that the union was not
dissolved by the storthing's action. A
contract cannot be broken by one
party's parliament. Therefore the
storthing's action can only be consid-
cred as Norway's declaration that she
does not desire any longer to main
tain it. It is for Sweden to decide
what action is necessary. According
to the laws she would be fully iusti-
fed in using the necessary force to
re-establish the union. This would
seem to be the natural course in the
first excitement, but reflection shows
that it would be against the true inter-
ests of Sweden. There was great mu-
:tual advantages in the union, but its
maintenance by force would make the
union q source Of weakness instead OF
strength. Sweden should not, there
fore, employ force but must insist that
its permission is necessary to Its dis
solution.
The committee emphatically disap-
proves Of any action by Sweden either
in the direction of q dissolution Of the
union or recognition of Norway's inde-
pendence until the Norwegians have
had an opportunity through elections
or q plebiscite Of expressing their
wishes. II the vote favors Q dissolu-
ton the storthing must legally ap-
proach Sweden to this end and II a
satisfactory agreement can,5be reached
the committee recommends Sweden's
assent.
The committee, in conclusion, re.
fuses to recommend that the riksdag
authorize the cabinet to negotiate with
Norway as demanded by the govern
ment bin. but says that II Norway
legally. approaches Sweden in accord
ance with the committees proposal
negotiations may DO opened.
AS q result Of the committee's report
the entire cabinet has resigned.
-; - s,f; ~
srate Penitentlarv ahrns.