Morris tribune., 1914-07-10
+ !. !. 1900. + + ]. + + i. +
+ NORWAY.

e. /NOAWAYs =
$50 \ + + + + 4. +
The defense question continues TO
be the most important and most In
teresting topic OF discussion in Nor
way, as well as in Sweden. and
special writer to the Washington Star
says that the campaign for stronger
defense in the western half of the
Scandinavian peninsula takes on a
hew phase almost daily. 1t is be-
heEed by many that the common de-
mand for protection against encroach-
ment by foreign powers, especially
Russia, may bring Norway and Swe-
den together again, at least to the ex-
tent Of a defensive alliance an end
devontly to be wished. "The Nor
wegian parliament, says the corr
respondent, has recently been pop
ularly criticised for it's ardent faith
in peace treaties. 1t has been con-
spicuOus in the peace movement ever
since it was intrusted by the late
Alfred Nobel with the distribution OF
the Nobel peace prize each year, and,
further, 1t has during the last seven
years relied faithfully upon an integ-
rity treaty signed by Russia, Ger
many, France and England, by which
the neutrality Of Norway should be
strictly observed in case of European
war. The people Of the Scandinavian
peninsula whether they be NorWe-
CLANS or Swedes- no thoughts,
of expansion, but want to be kept
out of the political turmoil which dur
ing the last, few years has agitated
Europe. Fears that integrity treaties
are worthless have become popular
among Scandinavians since the Bal
kan war, when it was seen that Turkey
profited little by its treaties as guar
anteed by the powers. In a war be-
tween the, triple entente and the triple
alliance the Scandinavian peninsula,
with its safe and excellent ports,
might be OF such value to any of the
belligerents as refuge Ravens or oper-
alton bases that no paper treaties
would stand in the way of seizure.
If such were the case 1t is feared that
.Norwayse and Sweden might, against
their will, be drawn into warfare.
Recognition of this Is the moving fac
tor In the talk of q military alliance
between Norway and Sweden for
mutual defense. and preservation of
neutrality. Both nations are exer-
| cicod oS,or rsOcSShlo; dopOoro fvovo &ho
East. II is believed. however, that no
European power at war with another
would be able to detach enough of
its military forces to operate against
| well fortified Scandinavia without
exposing its own ports and frontier
to the enemy. It is evident that the
people of Norway are inclining more
and more to this view and it is doubt
full If the Norwegian parliament and
the radical cabinet, which is not yet
alarmed over the political situation
in Europe, will be able to resist the
general cell from the people for
Strengthening the defenses, large ap.
preparations for the army and navy,
better fortif1cation of the forts and
longer military service. Parliament
recently has heightened the service
in the navy from half year to full
year, and ball for longer service in
the army, which now is LA days, Is
in preparation There is a general
demand for one years service In the
army, and all parties except the So
cialists have declared their willing
ness to bear heavier military bur
dens. The general interest which has
been inspired for Increased arma
ment is such that civic organizations
of many kinds and private individuals
are subscribing toward funds. La
dies societies particularly are busy
everywhere collecting money, numer
Gus local organizations are planning
to buy military seroplaues for Their
special districts. and banks and bust
ness houses are giving OF their Las
years profits to the defenses. A pa
triotic seal, something like the stamps
used In tuberculosis campaigns, Il
be placed On mail, is proving a sue
cess toward fund raising. The
stamp bears the words, I'll defent
my land and it Is sold by hundreds
of thousands, the money to go fol
defenseS"
4 4. +
, The eagerness of the Russian con
suls to study the conditions of North
ern Norway is attracting general at
tention among Norwegians. Until ;
few years ago there was only ont
Russian consul sent from Russia il
Northern Norway, namely, the one a
, Hammerfest. All the rest were Nor
wegian residents of the towns wher,
they served. Now Russia is keepinl
regular consular embassies at Ham
| merfest, Tromso and Vardo, and 1t i
| said that Russian consuls will sool
r be sent to Vadso and Narvik. Tn
NOTwegians are wondering what al
: these Russian consuls are going to d.
in region where the population i
so sparse The Russian vice consul II
l II. t. r Y "a.