Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-03-12
NEWS OF SCANDINAVIA
Recent Occurrences of Interest
in Sweden, Norway and
Denmark.
sTAAF INTERpoLATEs TROLLS
Subject OF Sweden's Neutrality Ii
Brought Up in the kiksdag
Reply OF NJ. Trolie.
SWEDEN.
Stockholm.

In the second chamber OF the SWeu-
fish riksdag former Premier Staaf in-
terpolated the foreign minister, nj.
Trolle, on the subject of Sweden's
neutrality, asking whether Sweden
would avoid conventions tending to
imperial neutrality and also whether
the government was prepared to make
a statement regarding the fortihca-
lions on the Aland islands. Nj. Troll
le. i'm reply. said: Sweden Is always
bound to aim in its general policy at
the maintenance of neutrality. Guar
anteed neutrality would not conduce
70 this end, but would make us de-
pendent upon the guaranteeing pow
ers Sweden does not desire 10 enter
that dangerous path. but will preserve
her neutrality, and should a conflict
occur. If the theater OF war is close
TO us. VIII 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.
1t 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 Us to the future of the
Aland islands. The news reached
Sweden that Russia regards the treaty
whereby the ST. Petersburg govern
ment bound itself not to fortlfy this
archipelago. or any part OF 1t, 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 solemnly engaged with
Britain and France In March, 1855,
neither to fortify the Aland islands
nor maintain there any military or
naval establishment, and that this EN-
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 its contin-
uance as vital not only to the security
Of Stockholm and the whole Of the
Swedish kingdom, but fee access
to two-thirds Of the Baltic. Russian
guns lowering over 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
ont the greatest resentment and alarm.
IT would menace the kingdoms trade
with its northern provinces, practical
ly shut up the gulf Of Bothnia and
Finland and create 80 terrible dan
ger to this country that Sweden would
be forced to convert itself into al
armed camp and crush its people un-
der a burden Of ornaments.
The relations between Sweden and
Russia are decidedly strained at pres
ent. 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-
tablished on the Finnish shores ad
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 irritated Sweden. War Is
feared I'm Sweden because Russia for
some time has been preparing to es-
tablish naval station on the western
shores Of Aland island, which is TWEEN.
ty-five miles from the Swedish coast
and only few hours by steamer from
Stockholm. 1t Is believed in some
quarters that Germany will adopt
drastic measures against Denmark II
this state refuses to join Germany and
Russia against Sweden in the efforts
to make the Baltic a closed sea.
A. X. Billing, well known Stock
holm editor. met an accidental death
the other day after he had just fin
ished his breakfast and was about TO
start for his Office. For some reason
or other he stumbled and fell down
a flight of stairs, sustaining such seri-
Gus injuries that he died within han
an hour from the time 1t happened
The deceased was born in Norrkoping
In 1851. He was graduated from the
upsala university in 1872 and few
years later he became associate edi-
tor OF the Svenska Dagbladet and pub
lished also for number Of years a
paper In Sodermanland. He was iatsF
associate editor OF the vartland,
editing Its political department. At
the time Of his death he was editor of
the industrial" a weekly journal de-
voted to Swedish business interests
He had hosts of friends In Stock
holm. all Of whom respected him
for his fairInindedness and gentleman
" demeanor.
Nearly all the countries have now
been formally notified Of King Guyta r.