Omaha daily bee., 1905-07-16
Only Possible Course Toward an Under
standing Between soandinavians.
ENGLAND STARTED PRESENT TROUBLE
Presented Forged Documents in CLAIM for
Damages from HOrwsgianH.
REPUBLIC is FAVORED BY THE MAJORITY
king of sweden Asked 60 Name
Ruler for Norway, but People
Do Not Care for
Royalty.

'HRIsTIANIA. July 15.-Cspecial Cable
gram TO The Bee)-Bjorstjerne Bjornsen,
famous Norwegian writer. thus reviews the
causes leading up TO the present crisis be-
tween Norway and Sweden. saying:
The manner in which the Norwegians
have broken of the union with Sweden
may not be approved but ] would like that
aspect of the question to be set aside for
the rupture in itself Is as much a blessing
for Sweden as for Norway. II was the only
possible course toward an understanding
among the three Scandinavian peoples. For
the time being the Swedes object forcibly
to the secession. but circumstances are
stronger than men.
we were united to Sweden in 1914 under
one king. The question which has resulted
in the cleavage first arose in 1927 A note
worthy fact Is that England by an unjust
act. started the struggle An English trad
ing firm was caught smuggling In Bode,
Nordland. BY means of forged documents
the English government induced the Swed-
ish minister of foreign affairs to believe
that damages were due from the Nor
goods and Imprisonment of persons. The
Swedish Foreign office was frightened into
yielding and Norway was most unjustly
dignation was felt in Norway when 1t was
found with what 'carelessness Swedish
Swedish tuteiage was hotly denounced.
Sweden had usurped authority granted
by the act of the union.
Claims Conteated by sweden.
will mention some of the Norwegian
claims which Sweden contested: That equal
Importance should be given to both king
doms in the seal of the union; that Norway
should have its own standard that that In IN
Norway Norway and Sweden should be
sP%edish sPSSdfiR 81 governors seT Of Norway should no
longer be appointed as sHch appointment
ince Sweden eventually gave way on all
OF these points after holding out for long
Norwegians were appointed in the diplo-
matte and consular corps. NeVertheless,
we could not obtain what we had most at at
affairs. A Swedish and Norwegian com
mission was named which sat frop 1860 70
1863. The Swedish members insisted that IN
return for other concessions Norway should
recognize the Swedish minister of foreign
" for Norway w 'aii5s' also The Norwegian storthing
rejected the proposal In 1865 Sweden set
tied by law the question of our foreign af-
fairs, which until then had been royal
prerogative. 1t was entrusted to she Swed-
ish minister OF foreign affairs We saw in
rated request for share in the direction OF
the foreign policy was answered In the
Swedish minister In 1895 there was an
other mixed commission, which divided It
self into several fractions. The work re-
mained abortlve and without result. Last
OF all we witnessed an abortiVe attempt 10
give consular representation 70 ehch klns, ss,
dom. This time the project emanated IRON
Sweden But 1t laid down conditions at the
last moment that free state could not ae-
cept. The patience of the Norwegians was
Add to these reasons for discomfort the
embarrassment caused to us by the inter
ferenoe through the medium of the kng
Of the Swedish government In the develop
ment of our home policy which gave UNI
our government to complain of the kinl
having adopted, without consulting, US, res
olutions which hampered and retarded thC
establishment in Norway OF parliamen
tary regime based on universal suffrage
From the day on which Norway had de
creed the abolition of nobility QS2D unit
the hour when II rejected the absolut'
veto of the king uSSD the ruling men II
- Sweden sought to exercise influence in ou
- country.
MethOd Not the Best
The most simple explanation OF the dis
putes which have arisen from the union /
are not intended to so hand in hand. Tn
majority Of the Norwegians have long ha
for their motto, complete independence
with the maintenance of the union, o
separation" Things have got to such
pass that everybody said we shall neve
tanning the union. SO we must break Il.
The method adopted TO bring about tn
. apparently il could not be helped. Tn
Storthing decided on getting the law o
the eopsulates through. Our constitutlo
empowered It to do 50; The law wa
adopted unanimously and submitted to tn
king. The members of the cabinet weI
unanimous in advising him 10 sanction !
He refused, adding that IL would then b
impossible for him TO form a new ministr
In Norway, the old one having resigned
He also refused TO proceed to Norwa,
Under these circumstances the Storthin
declared that a constitutional sovereig
without a ministry had ceased to reign. I'll
union was based on the community Of n
sovereign IL had ceased to exist. Ever!
one adopted this view. Only one Official d.
clined to execute the orders resulting fro
the new state OF things.
The Norwegian nation Is certainly r.
public in spirit; yet, as a mark Of estee
to the Swedish dynasty and nation, II ha
asked King oscar to allow member
his family TO become king OF Norway IT
old sovereign Is deeply hurt He h'
spoken In violent terms Of all that has ha
pened. IL is possible that he is In a sta
OF mind where he would object to his 81
or grandson reigning In Norway. 1 thiT
that public feeling Is really for a repubii
When the three peoples of the north-tl
Danes. Norwegians and Swedes-are equal
independent OF each other they will
nearer TO seeking a solution in good ha
mOny and solidarity
GOLD Is EOuND IN IcElAN