The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-04-04
Gustave Is One of Chief Issues in
Election OF New Parliament
in Sweden
NATIONAL DEFENSE A FACTOR
Country Is Torn With Military
Question and That of Con-
stitutionaIism


for the election of new Swedish par
lament are in full swing with a tre-
mendous wave of popular clamor for a
stronger national defense aroused by
fears of Russian aggression Two
parties-COnservatives ana Liberals
make this the dominant issue of the
campaign but beneath this is a ques
ton deemed by Socialists as even
more pregnant with immediate Conse-
quences than the possibility of inva
sion. II is declared in some quarters
that the Kings crown is at stake.
The point is that while the demand
for stronger national defense hao
stirred the whole nation, some classes
are apparently still more concerned in
defending themselves against an "v-
cessive exercise of power 10y their
King. Gustave V.
The crisis on this point was brought
about by the Kings speech To a throug
of 10000 peasants who gathered IN
Stockholm from all parts of the coun
II Oh INpi Nll as q 'Nlll'llf7Al ~ ~ -
i'm favor of increased armaments. The
King told the peasants that the prob
lem of defense was one which must
be solved without loss of time, ana on
that point he would not yield.
The Kings speech was made in the
face Of warnings from the Crown
Prince and Prince Charles and. in
deed, from u number of Conservative
and Liberal party leaders. The Qucer
and some of the Kings personal
friends however, advised lis Majesty
to take the speech as originally G"aNn
UP and their counsels prevailed.
The ministers forthwith resisrri.
They contended that as a constitutions
al monarch the King should not make
political speeches without ascerti aims;
If the cabinet approved of them. Fine
King replied. II cannot agree to ;lis.
| will not deprive my self Of the "ight
to speak without restraint T. the
Swedish people
DR. Knut Hammarskjoeld was nvit-
ed to form a new cabinet with hjmsef
80 NV anu illllli'A'i VI wal l'H' ''F
his adherents were i'm the minority in
the second chamber there was 40
chance of the defense bill becoming
Law.
Issue Before the People.
Parliament therefore was dissoi. cd,
and the issue placed before the people.
The result is that the whole country
is torn with the question of militarIsm
and the constitutioualism.
The Riksdag just dissolved consisted
of 1O1 Liberals, 81 Conservatives and
81 Social Democrats.
The defense proposals upon Which
the King and his cabinet will ask the
support of the voters are, according toI
Of the cabinet meeting as fol-
lows:
For army drill there will be 25o
days and three training periods each
30 days. Students and similar per-
sons are to serve longer time, bat
not more than 500 days
"The navy is To consist of two divis-
IONS. each composed of four armoured
ships four divisions of destroycra
each Of four ships, and two divisions
IF submarines. An acronautic fleet is
to he organized.
The expenses will be paid ~ n
defense tax on big for
tunes and inconnes. which is to Ice set
aside solely for military purposes.
The minutes concluded with tho
following declaration 10y the King
ION the solution of this question, so
vital for this nation, depends the pos
sobility of preserving our liberty and
and defending our uIu-
.rality."
Socialists Propose Republic.
The proposals do not differ greatly !
rom the program of the Liberals. rhc
Socialists. however, are not only de-
handing a reduction of expenditures
'or army and navy, but have definite.
y decided To make the establishment
IF republic a plank in their platform. !
The Conservatives are drawing the
Derson of the King into their contest
md the fight is plainly between the
'rown. represented by them, and the
,ther two parties.
Socialist assertions that King Gus
ave assumed powers not granted by |
he constitution, have drawn from him |
he following declaration:
II declare that every desire and ef |
ort i'm the direction of personal regal |
Iower has been. is. and will be. alien
q me. have hitherto performed my |
'oyal duties i'm accordance with the |
rider and spirit of the fundamental |
aw and in fidelity to my device. |
With the people for the fatherland' |
never will depart from my determi-
lation TO do SO i'm the future too"