Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-24

L L
has eliminated in separation. Representa-
tives of the two kingdoms at
Con1erees Karlstad have just finished
at Work. discussing their future aaic-
| able relations. and the aues-
! ton of under which king shall Norway APP
! pear In the family of nations as separate
and Independent Kingdom. and thus achieve
| the ambition OF well nigh a century. will
now loom large on the international hori-
zon.
At the present moment the two candidates
| most prominent are the Princes of Sweden
and Denmark.
Prince Carl of Sweden, Duke of Vaster-
gotland the third son of Oscar II. King Of
Sweden, was born February q, 1851 He
married Princess Ingeborg. daughter of the
Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark.
Prince Carl of Denmark. second son of
Frederick. heir apparent to the crown Of
Denmark, was born August 3. 1872. He
married Princess Maud Alexandra of Great
Britain.
NJ. Bjoernstern- Bjoersen, the distinguish
ed Norwegian novelist. is partisan of a re-
public, but Norway seems in no way In
clined to break with her traditions and will
doubtless maintain monarchy.
The causes of discomfort in Norway have
| existed from the date of the enforced union
1 by the treaty of kiel, January H. 1914. The
TSN1SlOH OK the constitution OF sweden III
| 1855. according to the best authors, includ-
| ing Fridtjof Nansen, accumulated the dis
content.
The revision transferred the direction of
| the diplomatic affairs of the kingdom from
| the King OF Sweden and confded them ex-
! clusively to the minister of foreign affairs
| of Sweden. From Norwegian point of view
| this fact was detriment to the interests
OF Norway, aside from the slight to Nor
| wegian pride in the implied inferiority. Re-
ordinations and reclamations followed. but,
notwithstanding the grand commissions in
| 1885. .S6, 81. SO and 1888 appointed to dis
cuss the subject. they failed to effect an
agreement.
Norway demanded purely and simply the
equality of the kingdoms In the administra-
ton of the foreign affairs
Nof"ays Norway proposed minister
l. Demands. of foreign affairs in common
but Sweden refused. When
Sweden finally adopted the idea. Norway
| had already abandoned It, ''Not only the
| two countries" according to Nansen. did
| not think often the same thing. but when
| by miracle they did think alike they did
not think alike at the same time"
Norway has insisted persistently upon the
recognition of her equality with Sweden.
basing her claim upon the constitution
voted at Eidsvold May IL. 1914.
| to the energetic efforts of NJ. Lagerheim.
| minister of foreign affairs. who appears to
/ have understood the gravity of the s.iua-
| ton. the reclamauons of Norway for a
separate consular service were submitted to
| a commission composed of NM. Isben,
| Christopherson, Bfldt and Anseen. the
commission reported that 1t was possible
| to appoint special Norwegian and special
| Swedish consuls. subject each to their
proper authorities and without interference
of the ministry of foreign affairs except for
the obtaining of the exequatur. Finally M.
Hagerup declared in the storthing of Febru-
airy 8, 1905. without circumlocution and be-
cause of the dilatory action of Sweden. that:
THE situation is serious. the unienal con-
dition Is not maintainable: now more than
ever Norway should assert her right to roc-
cupy the place which belongs to her as a
sovereign kingdom which Norwegians have
| ever reclaimed unanimously"
The consular service issue henceforth was
superseded. The veritable question which
| was at the bottom of all the discomfort was
| now clearly defined. 1T means" said M.
| Nicholson in the storthing in March. 1905.
that we have certainly the right which the
history of the constitution accOrdS to US, 10
| live our own natural life as free nation,
and we are absolutely convinced the will
one and inflexible of our people to make all
necessary SACRIFICES for the realization OF
| that right comfortable to the fundamental
law of Norway will obtain for us that OBJ
| ject."
At these words the members of the storth-
| Ing rose in body to express their unani-
nous sympathy and patriotic
impressive enthusiasm. The scene re-
Scene. called the oath of the depu-
| ties of France who on June
20, 1889. swore not to separate until they
had given a constitution to France.
In vain the prince regent on April pro-
/ posed a motion that immediate negotiations
should be undertaken to solve the questions
existing between the two countries; q min
lister of foreign affairs responsible to the
two kingdoms or to an institution common
to both; a separate consular service for
each. But If this should be found unsatis-
factory the prince regent promised his Sc
rious consideration of any other proposition
to secure unity and concord.
But the die was cast. Norway now de-
manded divorce and liberty, and held
that the prince regents suggestion was
dilatory and illusOry.
The It'll of June. the ministry having
resigned, the storthing addressed the
king a communication which declared
that since his majesty could not procure
for the Kingdoms new government the
royal authority over Norway had ceased.
The king refused to receive the delega-
ton of the storthing, but permitted the
chamberlain to take it.
Subsequently the storthing again adj
ton of the union does not mean bitter
ness of feeling to Sweden. nor toward the
dynasty, in proof of which the storthing
begs OF his majesty that prince of his
house may resign his right to success
sion to the throne of Sweden that he may
accept election as King of Norway"
The refinement and elegant courtesy Of
these north people are traditional. 1t Is
difficult to- find an example of greater
generosity and gallantry. The Spaniard
only may be cited in illustration.
Gen. Jose Manuel Pavia was captain
general of Madrid in 1873, and partisan of
Gen. Prim. Pavia sent two aids to the
cortes to ask them to dispense. One OF
these, a young officer of perfect address,
said to Don Nicholas Salmeron president:
Sir, you behold me chagrined at my
mission to you. My chief orders me to
say that the session of the cortes has
lasted too long. He begs 1t kindly to
withdraw Believe me, 1t will grieve him,
as it does me, ii. which God forbid you
do not Ct willingly. I have below stairs
q company ready to assure by every means
the success of an operation which you will
feel, I am sure. the general and feel to
be most painful.
Such indeed, was the meaning of the
storthing's message to Sweden.
On the 18th of August the storthing re-
ferred its action to the people, with the
result that in a vote of 800, TBS there were
I