Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-13
Letter from Stockholm Showing Conditions
Existing at the Swedish Capital
PEACE OR WAR IS IN THE BALANCE
Interest is Shown in Probable Course Of
Action Toward Norway,
WoRKlNGMEN DESIRE NO TROUBLE
Hope United States May Avert War
Between the Nations.
NoRWtGlANS MAY Be SHORT OF CASH
Peasants said 10 BE out of sympathy
with Political Leaders who Are
Responsible for Present
Conditions.
WoRKNG1EN DESIRE NO TROUBLE
NoRWiGIANs MAY Be SHORT OF cASf

Especial Correspondence by Carl Friberg) |
STOCKHOLM, July A-During the past
week, an impenetrabe veil of secrecy has
been cast over the Riksdag and the special
commission celebrating on the union ques-
tlon. The meetings of both Riksdag and |
commission have been held behind locked |
and well guarded doors, and the lips OF |
both of these august bodies have been |
Theoretically sealed In clubs, cafes, hotel |!
vestlbules and even in the home, people |
have been discussing with hushed awe tho |
possibilities OF the result OF these meetings, |
will 1t be separation union, peace or |
. war? The kaiser's visit to coasts !
which he has seen ht to engrdle with a |
line Of battleships while comforting in pTi- |
vate with King Oscar. has also been |
topic of serious comment and conjecture |
This secret and mysterious meeting of the |
kaiser with the king crown prince and
minister for foreign affars,-what does il !
mean? 1t can hardly be simply polite !
visit to our king! Surely some deeper mo-
tive underlies this visit but what? II is
said that the German fleet has come 10
Swedish waters simply to drill and carry
on sham battles. We feel very much hon
ored, but the honor is not altogether a
pleasant one. Those who fear war land
they are not few. especially among the
higher classes) are making of their
pie understand that the kaiser's visit was
simply expression Of personal sympathy
for King oscar during his troubles and
that no one but idiots and traitors could
think of there being any political sgnih-
canoe in the visit. Again, there are others
who claim that Sweden has already as a
matter OF fact, entered into an alliance
with Germany, and that II Sweden does not
Immediately take Time by the forelock and
make a decisive move and show that the
bravery and daring of Gustavus Adophus
and Charles XII stil lives in the Swedish
nation we will become vassals How
awful!
May the Riksdag soon let us know It's
decision; we are just crazy to hear It.
Attitude of Leaders.
In order to give you an idea OF the atti-
tude of leaders here, / will give below a
letter and few interviews which l have
had lately. l have interviewed Prof. svante
Arrhenius, who lectured at the great Cali
forna university last summer and who
can be considered not only one of the
greatest scientists of Sweden but Of the
world. He assured me that there would
be no war under any circumstances. He
said:
that any armed intervention will take
place at the present for the solving of
OF any warlike eventualites, and therefore
l do not feel inclined even to talk of
war; and l request YOU Mr.. Editor, on
my behalf and on the behalf Of ali sensi-
BILE swedes to use all possible means to
It is even to mention the deplorabie union
crisis in connection with war. Say this
for me.
have received the following letter from
the principal socialistic leader of Sweden
the editor of the Social Demokraten:
rsToCkHoLM, July q. lso6.-Mr. Carl
me What would be the seS best Way for 6o9 swed sSE
ish- Americans to show their love for their
l. out still hope. that no 10 war % viii Come come
into question, especially as the working
tions wish to hear OF such a criminal
folly-such high treason against the future
do their utmost TO prevent our warn war maniac c
(who feel that their honor has been out
from plunging them and the whole coun-
try into misery and misfortune. But II
patriots in America could only do one good
act act for us namely, exercise pressure on
ana restore peace as soon as possible.
Very respectfully,
HI. GRANTING.
person very closely connected with the
Swedish government said to me in an
interview the other day: 1--WE may wish
as much as we like that there will be
no din OF arms in Scandinavia and we
may arrange matters ever so advantage
ously for the Norwegians. stil the disso-
luton of the union win sooner or later
give rise TO war. There is only one way
10 prevent this war-to make the Scandi.
navian peninsula one country. sweden's
southernmost province Scania, is doubt
less today the strongest part OF Sweden
but this province belonged TO Den.
mark. But the amalgamation Of Sweden
and Norway will probably never be
achieved by the Swedish people" Thus n
is obvious how differently the Norwegian
bV
Norway Needs Cash.
Norway's finances do not seem to b,
so very hourishing just now. Nearly al
the hotels are almost empty and com
merce in the Norwegian seaport towns Il
almost at standstill, and the banks be
sin 10 feel "shaky." The flood of tourists
10 Norway has dwindled down to an in
significant little rill, and thousands VIII,
have hitherto made good living OF
travellers find It difficult 10 make the tw,
ends meet Swedish peasants living in tn
Swedish province of Dalsland have beel
in the habit Of depositng their money II
the Fredrikshald Savings bank but nov
when they come 10 lift their hard earne,
nest eggs they are only allowed 10 TAX
out 10 per cent OF their deposits at
time. In Harjedalen (Sweden) the peasant
have been used TO making deposits in tn
Roroa Savings bank Norway because thi
bank, like the Fredrfkshald bank, has al
ways paid higher interest than the swedis
{. banks but now they can only get out
small percentage of their savings sorr
experience, indeed! In Kongavinger all IN
banks have adopted war footing that
70 say they loan no more money and d
not permit bills Of exchange 10 be re
newed, but demand fun cash payment a
soon the bills are due.
In Norway Il becomes more and NOR
evident that the peasants do not share IN
opinion Of the political leaders, but sho,
:. great loyalty TO King Oscar The NoI
y wegian people, generally. admire Kin
Al