Morris tribune., 1908-03-14
Recent Occurrences of interest
in Sweden, Norway and
Denmark.
sTAAF INTERMEDIATES TR0LLE
Subject of SWeden's Neutrality LIS
Brought Up in the Riksdag
Reply of M. Trolle.
SWEDEN.
Stockholm.

neutrality, asking whether Sweden
would avoid conventions tending to
imperial neutrality and also whether
the government was prepared to make
| statement regarding the fortified.
tons On the Aland islands. NJ. Troll
lie, in reply, said: Sweden is always
bound to aim in it's general policy at
the maintenance of neutrality. Guar
anteed neutrality would not conduce
to this end, but would make us de-
pendent upon the guaranteeing pow
ers. Sweden does not desire to enter
that dangerous path, but will preserve
her neutrality, and should a conflict
occur, if the theater of war is close
to us, will defend her independence di-
rectly neutrality is infringed. The
government has not asked for a guar
antee, but it has not wished to reject
the projects concerning the main-
tenance Of the status quo in the Baltic.
IL these pourparlers have any result,
it will be for greater security of terri
tory. The necessity for silence dur
ing the negotiations prevent me being
more explicit, but the Swedish govern
ment has this important question close
at heart Mr.. STAFF expressed him
self as being satisfied with the state
ment, saying that he was confident
that the conclusion Of the Baltic treaty
would not increase the risk Of Sweden
becoming involved in war.
Increasing excitement attends the
discussion as to the future of the
Aqand islands. The news reached
Sweden that Russia regards the treaty
whereby the st. Petersburg govern
ment bound itself not to fortify this
archipelago, or any part Of it, as dis
solved by the rupture of the union be-
tween Sweden and Norway. The
Swedish government refuses to ac-
cede to any such view. Its position
is that Russia selemnly engaged with
Britain and France in March, 1856,
neither to fortify the Aland islands
nor maintain there any military or
naval establishment, and that this ell
gagement was absolutely unaffected
by the dissolution of the Swedish
Norwegian partnership. Sweden did
not sign that treaty, but Britain,
France and Russia did. The Stock
holm government regards it's contia-
uance as vital net only to the security
of Stockholm and the whole of the
Swedish kingdsm, but free access
to tWo-thirds OF the Baltic. Russian
guns lowering ever this capital from
the Aland islands, only twenty-six
miles distant, and Russian sea power
brought so near are conditions which
the Swedes cannot contemplate with
oct the greatest resentment and alarm.
TT would menace the Kingdoms trade
with it's northern provinces, practical
ly shut up the gulf of Bothnia and
FINLAND and create so terrible a dan
ger to this country that Sweden would
be forced to convert itself into an
armed camp and crush it's people un-
der a burden of ornaments.
The relations between Sweden and
Russia are decidedly strained at pres
emit. The tension has arisen because
Russia insists upon being released
from the agreement made when Swe-
den surrendered Finland that NO naval
stations or Notifications should be es-
tab1ished ON the Finnish shores add
jacent to Sweden. The part taken by |
Russia in the Norwegian integrity |
treaty and her present attitude on the |
Baltic <'closed sea- question also have |
greatly frritated Sweden. War is
feared in Sweden because Russia for
some time has been preparing to es-
tablish a naval station on the western
shores Of Aiand island, which is TWEEN
y-fve miles from the Swedish coast
nd only few hours by steamer from
stockholm. 1t is believed in some
quarters that Germany will adopt
lrastic measures against Denmark if
his state refuses to join Germany and
Russia against Sweden in the efforts
0 make the Baltic a closed sea.
A. K. Billing, a we'll known Stock
Oiu culLOF. lIleL an accluonIaI death |
he other day after he had just fin
shed his breakfast and was about to
tart for his Office. For some reason
r other he stumbled and fell down
flight of stairs, sustaining such seri-
us injuries that he died within half
n hour from the time it happened. :,
he deceased was born in Norrkopins
L 1851. He was graduated from the I
'psala university in 1872 and a few ]
ears later he became associate edi- /
n Of the Svenska Dagbladet and pub '
shed also for number of years a
aper in Sodermanland He was later 4
ssociate editor of the Vartland, i
lifting its political department. At ,
le time of his death he was editor of '
le industrial weekly journal de- +
oted to Swedish business interests. II
e had hosts of friends in Stock
olm. all of whom respected him
r his fairmindedness and gentleman 9