The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-27
Norway, Denmark and Sweden
to Keep Hands Off in
European Affairs.
Ia MaRoUIsE DE FONTENoY.

BY la MARQUISE DE fONTENOs.
v/ING HAAKON. OF Norway. King
X Christian. Of Denmark. and King
IN Gustavus. Of Sweden. have Just
signed at Stockholm a treaty
whereby they bind their respective
countries 10 a Joint policy of the most
strict neutrality with regard TO the
differences Of other European powers
and preclude themselves from any
manifestation of good will and of sym
patty for one or another OF the parties
in the dispute. no matter whether the
latter may be restricted TO a mere
diplomatic controversy or take the
form Of actual war.
1t il the reply of the three govern
ments concerned to the efforts made IN
the legislatures at Stockholm. CHRIST
iania and Copenhagen 20 pledge the
nation TO an understanding. II not an
alliance. with either the triple alliance
or the triple entente. In each OF the
three kingdoms there have been Wig
orous advocates of offensive and de-
fensivc treaties with either the Ger
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. group or inc
Franco Russian English coalition BuJ
the scandinavian Kings, despite the
pressure brought to bear upon them,
have determined upon policy OF most
rigorous neutrality. and the Importance
Of their decision lies in the fact tndt
ural entrance and. Of course. also the
exit of the Baltic.
1t Is strange how all those European
powers com bIne IN groups OF three ana
in this connection | recall witty re-
mark made by Old Count Nigrd VINO
was for SO long Italian AMBASSADOR at
Vienna. Il was in the days OF the
formation of the triple alliance. which
was admittedly directed mainly against
Russia. Although ne helped to ne
gotiate it. he was rather cynical about
its survival in the event OF war FOR
when a neghbor at court dinner at
the HOfburg inquired Of him whether
it would stand the strain of an armed
conflict. he replied. smilingly:
Mon Dieu Madame. Picture 10
yourself three good friends going out
arm in arm. bear shooting. and sud
denly finding themselves face to face
with a huge and particularly savage
bear Do you imagine that they would
remain in that case with their arms
linked2"
No one thus far can state whether
the triple alliance. the triple entente.
or, now, the Scandinavian league. Will
be able to stand the vital test OF an
international confiagration.
Lord Francis Hope. only brother and
heir of the Duke of Newcastle, appears
to be a hopeless case from q Hndhcldi
point of view. For he has just been
figuring once more in the courts IN
London: this time in connection with
his refusal to pay the com mlsslon TO d
man of the name of Charles Bait. who
had, with much difficulty. negotiated
a loan for him of $50 600, after his own
lawyers had endeavored in vain TO raise
the money From the proceedings. 1t
appeared that he endeavored last year
TO borrow 81, $50 900. for the purpose OF
settling some very urgent and pressing
liabilities, to the tune of Y,OO,OOO.
There are few men with so great a
record of extravaganza as Lord Francis.
who was left huge fortune by MS
maternal grandmother. Mrs. Henry
Thomas Hope, conditional upon taking
her name. But before he was twenty
five he had not only squandered the
whole of the money. but had also run
into debt TO the tune of several millions
of dollars. He was helped time and
again by his brother. the Duke of New
castle who was most generous TO MIN,
and who, as second heir to old Mrs.
HOPES property, assisted him to secure
from the courts permission TO sell the
celebrated Hope jewels. including the