Willmar tribune., 1914-09-16
OF INTEREST TO
SCAND|NAv|ANS
News Gathered IN the Father.
land and Elsewhere.

4 + + + + !. + j. !. j. !. +. j. + 81.
+ SWEDEN. +
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The following letter from Stock
holm, dated Aug. rs, is of interest to
all Observation-Disclosures: There
was a strong expression Of relief in
the applause with which both cham
bers today greeted the statement of
Herr Wallenberg, the foreign minis
ter, that the Swedish and Norwegian
governments had mutually declared
their definite intention to maintain
to the uttermost limit their neutrality
in regard to the combative powers,
and, in addition, had exchanged bind
ing assurances with the object of pre-
venting the state Of war in Europe
causing either of the two kingdoms
to war against each other. General
rumors and gossip had given rise to
an incorrect idea of Sweden's attt.
tude toward neutrality. A press re-
port stated that German courier ar
rived at Stockholm the other day with
a letter to King Gustaf from the Ger
man emperor. This statement. how
ever, was denied. In itself it is not
remarkable that the diplomatic post
should be forwarded by courier, par
ticularly in time Of war and when the
general postal connections are inse-
cure. Events in Luxemburg anil Bel
GUM, however, had increased the un-
easiness which war causes and there
was a feeling of uncertainty as to
what should be believed. The letter
could only be personal and II it did
touch the political position 1t was not
necessary that it should be a threat
against our neutrality, but could
equally we'll contain an assurance
that our neutrality would be respect
ed. Through the statement by the
foreign minister all uncertainty was
removed. Any fears that the ques-
ton of neutrality had been called in
question were allayed. According to
telegram received from Berlin our
declaration of neutrality and the
steps we have taken to maintain it
have been received there with satis-
faction. There Is, therefore, at pres
ent no need for uneas1ness over the
incalculable possibilities Of war. Herr
Wallenberg's declaration is also graft
flying because it shows that Swedes
and Norwegians can hold together
without a union. Before the outbreak
of hostilities it had been evident that
both nations were on the way to be-
come more friendly. The mutual dan
ger has caused the two governments,
sooner than otherwise would have
occurred, to give form to their COM
| mon wish to be able to use their
powers of defense for their own
coasts and outer limits without being
weakened by arming against each
other. Both countries now have their
backs free and can with all their
strength turn against those who
threaten them. It Is cooperation that
is needed. Thereby the object Of the
old union is attained without its dis
advantages. The assumption is that
Sweden and Norway will observe an
unviolable neutrality, far from all
thoughts of alliances in any direction.
+ !. j.
A London dispatch says: British
officials are watching the attitude Of
Sweden and Norway in the present
war with great interest. Trawlers
returning to London from the Scandt-
navian peninsula say it is evident
that the Swedes and Norwegians quite
generally sympathize with Great Brit
ain, the feeling being that the Eng
lish navy offers protection to Scan
dinavian interests. The Dagens N.Y.
heter, a radical journal, in its issue
of Sept. says the successes of Ger
many had impressed the Swedish
press disproportionately, although the
partiality of the Swedish press is now
admitted. After examining the Ger.
man and English white books the
editor of the Dagens Nyheter says:
1T is impossible to say that Great
Britain, France and Belgium desired
this catastrophe; they undoubtedly
did all they could to avoid it. 1t was
Russia, Germany and Austria and
even Servia which played the princi.
pal parts. It is still uncertain wheth-
er Germany was informed of the ma
ture of the ultimatum delivered by
| Austria to Servia, but these diplomat