New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-05
SWEDEN FEARS
RUSSIAN MENACE
Expansion of MuscOvite
Empire at Scandinavia's
Expense Likely.
tFrom Tue Tribune Correspondent

London March 2s-The correspo
of "The Daily Chronicle" az Stoc'
has had talk with d.. Sven He
the political situation between SN
and Russia and the danger which m~ny
Swedes believe threatens their country
from an offensive war by Russia. DR..
Hedin is one OF the most ardent adNo-
Yates Of Swedish military and naval ex-
pansion as a protection against Russian
aggression. lie began his conversation
by spreading out map OF Finland show
ing he strategic railways built, building
or projected by Russia. The new bridge
over the Neva is completed. he pointed
out. and when the strategic railways are
all ready Russia will be able TO send
easily and rapidly great forces OF troops
from the capital and the interior Of Rus
STA 10 numerous points on the finnish
coast from Tornea TO Niborg. IL a gem
orally supposed that the number az Rus
sian troops a present in Finland is
about 1890.
AN aruiy of 60.e00, 70 hs taid cannot be
needed TO keep Finland In order. ana
even granted that these forces may lie
for defence against German attack in
war between Russia and Germany this
does not do away with the danger we
face There has for a long time been
much talk in Russia to the effect that
sort of alliance exists between Germany
and Sweden. There is no such thing, Of
course, but IT is easy 10 imagine how
Sweden might be dragged into war be-
tween two such powers. Recent events
have shown US what slight consideration
the weak receive when they stand in the
way Of the strong, and how country is
safe only If It knows how 10 look after
itself
MuseoVite Striving Relentless.
However. in my opinion, our real
danger is not that Of being unwllingly
forced 10 take part in war primarily
between Russia and Germany. but our
danger is from the expansion OF Russia
toward the west. We cannot shut our
eyes TO the relentless striving Of the
Muscoyite toward warm seas. to ports on
open oceans. As the 'Novoe Nremya' re-
Gently said, Russia, IL she is TO carry out
her historic destiny, requires an outlet on
those world seas which compare with her
in greatness. And for 200 years she has
worked TO that end
What divides Russia from the Allan
tic?" asks the explorer. From Tornea,
the end Of the Finnish railway system in
the north, to Lyngenfjord is only about
e90 miles, TO Nayrk 260 miles. But from
the most northwesterly point OF the from
tier OF Russia proper TO Lygenfjord is
only twenty miles From Wasa TO Umea
is but seventy FIVE miles, and from Aland
to Grisslehsmm only twentyseyen miles
Can you be surprised that we feel that
there is a danger"
DR.. Hedin thinks Russia is not likely
TO consider these as formidable barriers
to advance toward the Atlantic. He de-
clares that Sweden ought TO be warned
by the doleful fate OF Finland, and he re-
calls an incident in his journey to Teheran
in 1890.
II was talking during my travels in
Elburz with yizier regarding the future
Of Persia. He said to me: Put it down
in your notebook that / have told you
to-day that in twenty years Persia will
no longer be an independent country
Even then Persia recognized the danger
threatening her, but she has not been
strong enough to Withstand it, ! only
wish Sweden not 10 be in that miserable
position"