The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-06-09
UNION DISSOLVED
Norway an Independent and
Sovereign State.
NO Ill FEELING DISPLAYED
Steps Taken Will be Defended by
Force Of Arms.
King of Sweden Asked to Cooperate
in the Selection of q King for Nor
way-PrOceedings Marked by Good
Order and the Utmost Dignity-The
Dissolution Has Been Pending for
Some Time.

London, June S.-The revolution in
Norway, though anticipated and peace
fully effected, has come upon Europe
with unexpected suddenness and the
question is asked with some anxiety
complications. Had Russia not been
involved in a difficult war in the Far
East, it is doubtful whether Norway
would have taken the present momen-
tOus step which IS not likely to be
regarded with approval by Europeans
powers. The fact that the coup d'erat
tablishment of a Norwegian republic
would alone be q reason why the step
should not commend itself to the mon-
archical powers.
1t is nowhere thought that King
Oscar will consent to a junior member
of his family becoming King of Nor
way. This proposal is regarded as an
attempt to palliate the blow to the de-
posed king and the opinion of English
newspapers is that the suggestion is
quite practicable.
The consular difficulty is supposed to
be only an outward manifestation Of
the deepseated aspirations Of the ma
iority Of the Norwegians.
British sympathies appear to be
strongly On the side of Sweden and
King Oscar.
The Morning Post expresses the gen.
eral view in suggesting that it is emf
nently a case for the Hague Tribunal
Chlistiara, Norway, June liking
Oscar> refusal to sanction the bill
passed by the Storthiug providing for
a separate consular service for Nor
way eliminated today i'll the passage
Of a resolution by the Storthing de-
ciaring the dissolution of the union of
Sweden and Norway. and that the sinS
lad ceased to act as king of Norway.
An address to the king was adopted
declaring that no i'll feeling was en-
tertained against him, his dynasty or
the Swedish nation and asking MIN to
cooperate in the selection OF young
prince of the House of Bernardotte to
occupy the throne of Norway.
Norway from today is fully an indie
pendent and sovereign state
This is the text of the editorials III
the Norwegian newspapers and it re-
fleets the spirit with which the people
Of Norway accept tOday'S action OF the
Storthing. when it proclaimed King
Oscar no longer King of Norway.
At it's meeting this evening the
StOrthing adopted a proclamation TO
the Norwegian people in which is gwen
u detailed account of the events pre-
cedfng the passing of the resolution,
and in which the hope is expressed
that they will succeed in living in
peace and on good terms with all and
not the least with the Swedish people
TO whom we are linked by so many
rsaturaltieS."
The proclamation concludes as fol-
lows:
s'All officials, civil Or military, must
III every respect yield that obedience
which the government has the right to
claim according to the authority trans
ferred to it by Storthing in the name of
the people Of Norway"
The proceedings throughout the mo-
mentous session of the Storthing to-
day was marked by supreme good or
der and by the utmost dignity. The
plans had been most carefully prepared
and nothing had been omitted to Sc
-cuf7e the inauguration of new gov
ernment under the best auspices.
That the feeling was intense was
evidenced by the. great gatherings of
people outside the Storthing during the
early session, and after the announce
ment of the result of the proceedings
quiet respect was shown the members
as they left the building.
The crowds We're especially respect
full in their ovation to NJ. Bichelsen,
the retiring premier.
The StOrthing will, if necessary, de-
fend the step taken today by force of
arms.
Mr.. Arctander will be Norway's first
foreign minister He is now chief of
the departments of commerce, naviga-
ton and industry.
1t is learned that Crown Prince Gus
tave will return from Berlin immedi-
ately.
It is understood that an extraordi-
rary session session of the Swedish
Riksdag will be called June 26, if not