Grand Forks daily herald., 1914-09-15
DENMARK READY
FOR A STRUGGLE
Expert Declares Fortihca-
tions Of Copenhagen Better
Than Those Of Liege.
(By valfrid spanbers, )

Stockholm. Sept. 15.-When the
English foreign minister. before Eng
land declared war, laid before parlia-
ment his conception Of the position OF
affairs, he touched especially on the
danger that threatened the small neu-
trail states. OF the northern countries
he mentioned only Denmark.
Denmark is situated nearest to the
theater of war. If the trial of
strength between the British and the
German fleets is extended to the Bal
tic the way there for the British must
be through Danish waters. In order
to maintain her neutrality Denmark
must see that no one touches the
Danish coast and the Danish waters
have. therefore, been closed by means
OF mines. For the water courses be-
yond her territories, Denmark had no
responsibility. If any combatant at
tempts my mines or vessels to block
the way, Denmark cannot do anything
IN the matter nor can she be held re-
sponsible for what happens. It is not
her duty to see that the channels are
free when 1t cannot be done by Dam
ish action alone.
C Only Necessary Steps Taken.
The military steps that Denmark
has taken in order to preserve her
neutrality have been limited to what
is strictly necessary. She has gone on
the theory that 1t is impossible for a
country with Denmark's position and
military possibilities to keep back a
great military power If that power in
sists on invading the country. But
Denmark is, at any rate, strong
take possession without struggle, es-
pecially in regard to Copenhagen,
concerning the fortifying Of which
there has been much dispute. A mill
tary expert, Major Niewenhus, de-
clared recently that he could state
definitely that the Notifications of
Copenhagen, in spite Of their disad-
Vantages, are much stronger than
were those Of Liege. He asserted that
sudden surprise was quite out Of the
question and that an artillery attack,
owing to Copenhagen's great stores of
ammunition, would demand such en-
ormous forces that even a great pow-
er would hesitate. 4
If Denmark is. owing to her posi-
zion, more exposed than the other two
scandinavian countries. she is by no
means defenseless and the power that
would attempt to violate her neutrali-
~ must calculate on having not. only
TO meet Denmark's strength but that
OF another combative power.
me northern countries, owing to
their position and limited sources Of
defense. are compelled to defend
themselves without being able to helm
each other. The long land frontier
between Sweden and Norway enables
each Of them to guard the coasts and
outlying possessions and to hinder an
enemy from attacking the other by
and Sweden there is no, euch. bonn.
dary. a mutual support between
Denmark and Sweden or between
denmark and Norway, similar to the
one between Sweden and Norway. is
geographically out Of the question. An
agreement between them would not
nave the same importance as one be-
tween Sweden and Norway. There
made.
The three countries are in different
geographically. on
the other hand the three people are
closely allied and inspired BY the
same desire to maintain neutrality
and independence. Their. sympathies
perhaps are not entirely the same but
vary according to their conception of
where the greatest danger lies. But
no great power could compel them to
nsnt against each other. The words
OF Oscar that hereafter war be-
tween Scandinavian brothers ia i'm
possible" has the same value now AZ
then. ~" as
Great sympathy in Sweden,
How strong the ties of Scandinavian
piooo are was shown by the sympathy
Win which the Swedes heard of Dem
MARKS uneasiness at the outbreak of
war. That sympathy found no public
expression. The consciousness Of our
ina oility to do anything prevented It,
But everywhere there were private
expressions Of sympathy and con-
cern: People may have different con
ceptlons as to racial Importance but
When re lationship Is as intimate az
IN snat among the northern people, it
SHOWS itself. In spite Of all differences.
when danger threatens, even - tha
power to intervene is wanting.