Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-09-23
I'M FAR NORTHLAND
important Events in Sweden,
Norway and Denmark.
BRIEFS FROM OLD COUNTRY
ntereatIna items From the Three
Great Kingdoms OF the North Sc
lectsd for Scandlnavians and
Their Descendants,
BY MARTIN w. CpLAND.


Sweden.
A cablegram from London to the
Associated Press says:
There is a great deal of specula
ton here as to what course Sweden
will take In the near future, many be
lieving that she will join Germany in
the war against Russia. There is a
very strong war party I'm Sweden, and
the Germans are using every means
to strengthen it. Sweden is being
constantly reminded that Russia took
Finland from her. There is also a
strong anti-war party"
Speculation such as is set forth In
this dispatch has been rife almost
ever since the war began, but 1t is
safe to assume that Sweden will con-
tinue to maintain her neutrality till
the end of the war. Undon otedly a
considerable element In Sweden would
Ike to see Germany triumph in the
war and would even like to see their
own country line up with Germany in
the great struggle. but this element is
In the minority. When the three mon
archs Of Scandinavia met at Malmo
and agreed upon a common policy
with reference to the war--a policy of
complete neutrality-ail likelihood Of
participation in the war on the part
OF Sweden was removed
The only thing that could change
this policy of neutrality would be an
overt act Of hostility toward Sweden on
the part of Russia. and it Is certain
that Russia will not be guilty of such
an act, On the contrary 1t is safe
to assume that Russia will take pains
to be friendly and considerable toward
Sweden as long as the war lasts. That
has been her policy since the war
opened, and 1t can be truthfully stat
cd that the feeling on the part of the
Swedes towards Russia Is less bitter
now than 1t was before the war broke
out.
William Lingelbach, professor of Eu.
ropean history in the University of
Pennsylvania, has written an article
which has attracted widespread at
tention among Scandinavians. In 1t
he asks:
Shall Sweden become Bavaria or
a Finland? Shall she ultimately en-.
ter the German federation, or will
she wait to be absorbed by Russia?"
In his article Professor Lingelbach
points out the status of the three
Scandinavian countries in the present
war and closes as follows:
OF the three Scandinavian coun.
tries the most likely to enter the war
IL Sweden. Her army has been mobi-
lized and, with reserves, includes
about 100000 men, a number equaling
that of Roumania, or half that OF Italy
But Sweden's neutrality has been of
for trade that the advantage to the
central powers of her becoming n bel.
ligerent is seriously questioned
Should she enter the war at this time
Russia would be still further isolated
from her western allies. Finland
would doubtless again become Swe-
dish territory for time. and Petro,
grad itself might possibly fall before
the Teutons,'
II was the plan of the Swedish gov,
ernment to ascertain the supply OF
grain In the country during the month
Of September for the purpose of de
Gliding how much, II any. grain needs
to be imported from abroad to insure
the people against q shortage, but i,
is probable that this plan will be
abandoned, 1t is pointed cut that Il
win be very difficult to obtain q cor
rect estimate of the grain supply, ow
ing to the general disposition of the
farmers and dealers to minimize their
supply, Another difficulty Is the fact
that not all of the grain has beer
threshed yet. Instead of trying to as
certain the magnitude of this years
grain crop, the government will try t
ascertain how much there is left al
last years crop, leaving the depart
mcnt of agriculture to make it's an
nual estimate as to the size OF the
1915 crop,
Leading merchants Of Stockholm
l who have been importing goods from
America by the way Of England, have
| joined I'm q protest to the government
against England's treatment of thess
! shipments, There is general feelins
that the British are needlessly inter
fering with Sweden's commerce, and
. there is a growing resentment on &c
: count of it.
4 RnNk NnrsA~