The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1908-04-06
RUSSIA THREATENS
PEACE OF EUROPE
SEEKS TO FORTIFY THE ALAND
ISLANDS, OFF THE COAST OF
FINLAND.

tween the Government here and St
Petersburg, the result of which may
seriously disturb the peace of Europe.
The Defense Committee of the Rus
sian Douma recently appropriated a
large sum of money for the fortifca-
ton of the Aland Islands, lying off the
coast of Finland in the Baltic Sea. AS
these islands lie nearer Sweden than
Finland, and as Russia, by the treaty
OF March, 1856, pledged herself not to
fortify them, representations were at
once made to the st. Petersburg Gov
eminent from Stockholm calling Rus
sia's attention to the treaty and de-
| claring that Sweden's defense would
be seriously menaced by such fortifi-
cations.
Or course, there is no intention on
the part of Sweden of going to war
with Russia, and so, as her representa-
tions were Gisregarded, she forthwith
appealed to France and England, who
were also signatories of the treaty OF
1856, which specifically declared that
the Aland Islands shall not be forth
fled and no naval or military force
| shall be established there"
GREAT POWERS EMBARRASSED.
The appeal has placed both England
and France in an embarrassing posi-
ton. Both countries have Indirectly
guaranteed the perpetual neutrality OF
Sweden, but both are at present most
favorably disposed toward Russia
France, on account of the dual alli-
ance, and England because of the re-
Gently concluded Anglo-Russian agree
ment. And it is feared in Stockholm
that neither France nor England
would be likely to interfere, especial
ly because the fertilization by Russia
of the islands in question would serve
to diminish the preponderance of Ger
man influence in the Baltic.
1t will be recalled that Sweden ced-
ed Finland, with the Aland Islands, to
Russia in 1909. Twenty years later
Russia proceeded to fortify the island.
England thereupon objected, but with
out avail. During the Crimean War
Bomarsund was built, and a combined
French and English fleet had to blow
it's forts to pieces. One result of that
was the Treaty of Paris. If Russia
repeats her attitude of 1929, what is
there to prevent the necessity at some
time or other of such action as proved
unfortunately inevitable at Bomar-
sund?
Russia is not, at the moment, at the
height of her power either by sea or
land. She is torn by internecine diff
culties, harassed by internal economic
troubles, and nothing but peace, and a
greater measure Of prosperity can re-
store her strength. 1t is most unlikely,
therefore, if France and England COM
bined in answering her request by a
polite insistence on the status quo,
that Russia could do anything but ac'
quiesce, and recognize that, although
her diplomats never relax their patrio-
tic activity, the moment is not entirely
propitious for giving practical support
to them, at any rate in this direction.
| Treaties, after all, it must regretfully
be recognized, depend enormously for
their validity on the strength that lies
behind them.
GOVERNMENT IS QUESTIONED.
It is more than likely that the Gov
ernments of France and Great Britain
will shortly be interpellated on the
subject in their respective Parliaments
In the meantime the Swedish Govern
ment has been queried in the Riksdag
ON the two following points:
81. Does the Government consider
that the policy of Sweden should inva'
riably aim at preserving the neutrality
inviOlable and that conventions should
be avoided which are of nature tC
prejudice, even though only indirectly
our position in case of a conflict be-
tween foreign powers, and thus to i'm
peril our neutrality?
"2. Is it now possible for the Gov
eminent to make a statement upon it'
position concerning the question of the
, fortifcation of the Aland Islands
pending the negotiations on the SUB
ject which have been in progress?"
The reply of M. de Trolle, the Swed
ish Minister of Foreign Affairs, was
far from reassuring. 1t emphasized
. the desire of Sweden to remain neu
trail SHOULD a conflict occur, if the
theatre of war is in proximity to us,
and declared that she would defent
her independence directly that neu
trality was infringed. NJ. de Trolle
concluded with the words:
"The necessity of silence during the
negotiations prevents me from express
ing myself more explicitly, but l assure
you that the Government has this i'm
portant question close at heart"
| nONJ,rU NTECT TCyT COIN