Morris tribune., 1905-05-27
Recent Occurrences of interest
in Sweden, Norway and
Denmark.
DISSOLUTION OF THE UNION +?
Views of DR.. Sven Redin, the ExplOr-
or, on the Dispute Between
Norway and Sweden.
SWEDEN.
Stockholm.

| Said DR.. Sven Hedin, the well known
explorer, to London Times cor
respondent May 9: "Since Norway re-
fuses to accept the crown prince
regents offer, there remains but one
step more-dissolution of the union.
It will not lead to a Scandinavian
war. Not a single Swede esteems the
present union worth one drop OF
Swedish blood. Once dissolution oc-
ours Sweden, under no circumstances,
will enter into a permanent defensive
alliance with Norway. We are sure
that danger would arise to us from
Russian occupation Of the province Oh
Finmark; but it would be utter folly
on our part to rush into war with Rus
STA to escape this proximity II Nor
way choose of it's own free Will 10
rupture the union Sweden must in the
future, obedient to the law of self
preservation, study exclusively its own
protection no matter how painful 1t
may be to see Norway in the grasp OF
the despOiler's hand. We want our
blood and our treasure to defend the
ancient soil of Sweden. We cannot
sacrifice our army and fleet in defense,
say of Finmark. which Norwegian
politician recently described as a God
forsaken place Unaided Norway can
not defend this, its extreme northern
province. It's land defenses to the
south, along the Glommen, were con-
! structed against Sweden Transport
| of troops in the far north is difficult,
owing to the absence of railways. Nor
ways transport by sea is inadequate
| Furthermore DR. Hedin replies to Eng
lands suggestion that Sweden should
oppose Russia in favor of Norway
that such action would undoubtedly
promote England's interests, but would
expose Sweden to a naval war that
| would bring its coasts, which are only
| a few hours sail from Libau. under
| the Russian guns. He recommends as
an alternative policy that England en-
| ter into defensive alliance with iso-
lated Norway and thereby become re-
| sDonsibIe for the security Of NorWay's
northern coasts.
King Oscar has so far recovered
! from his bodily ailments as to make
plans to attend his sons wedding.
| The exact day has not yet been made
I known. but it is certain that the great
event will take place some time dur
| ing the latter part of June. The riks-
dag has voted Prince Gustaf an ap-
! panage Of $4,000 in view of his ap-
preaching marriage with Princess Mar
garet of Connaught. King Oscar has
presented the couple with the beauti-
| full Chateau Sofia on the sound near
HeIsingsfors as a summer residence.
! Prince Gustavus Adolphus will go to
| England some time in May and be the
| guest of the duke of Connaught's fami-
| ly until the wedding day. The arch
! bishop of Canterbury is to perform the
marriage ceremony in the presence OF
large company of the royal person
ages of both houses.
The philosophical faculty at the Uni
| versity Of Upsala has granted the re-
quest of the Upsala college, near
| Orange n. J., to allow graduates
| from the ''bachelor of arts and
| "bachelor of science" courses Of the
| latter institution to enter the uni
| versity and the high school in Stock
| holm and Gotkenburg without any
| further examination. Thus the four
Swedish-American colleges Of this
| country are recognized by the highest
educational authorities in Sweden.
The Swedish Bible Society held its
| annual meeting during the early part
| of the month Cathedral Provost j. A.
| Fklund made the chief address on
''The Authority of the Bible" During
the past year the society distributed
| 1909 Bibles The receipts exceeded
the expenditures by about $4,000. The
cash on hand has increased to about
| $4,000.
On May 10 parliament debated at
| length the proposal to impose an eX-
| port duty of q cents per ton on iron
| ore In the first chamber the prop
! osition was rejected by a vote Of 63
| to 81, while in the second chamber it
was approved by vote Of 124 to SO.
| The motion will therefore, be referred
| to a Joint sitting Of the two cham
| hers.
Ex-Mnister W. W. Thomas will re-
main in Sweden for some time to
| come. He has leased quarters in
Stockholm for four years and has also
| rented the summer villa at Lysekil.
c. Sidenbladh, chief of the central
bureau of statistics has rendered his
resignation Mr. Sidenbladh has not
made known his plans for the immedf-
| ate future.