The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-21
Scandinavian Problems Are Growing Mere Delicate
 With Each Day.
FEAR FIGHTING IS
 NOWHERE NEAR END
Afraid One of Belligerents May Be Driven to Ruthless Acts in Des- peration-Sweden Pro-German, Denmark and Holland
 Pro-AlIy

Copenhagen, Denmark, May S-Cor- respondence of the Associated Press ) Although no official statement has been made as to the detailed delibera- tion of the conference of Scandinavian premier and foreign ministers recently held here, the meeting itself seems to have wrought a noticeable feeling of re- lief in, the three neutral nations of the north and there is without doubt just little more confidence that these countries will be able to fight their way through the difficulties of the war without being drawn into the hostil- ities.
 The position of the Scandinavian countries-Denmark, Norway and Swe- den-has been more or less a delicate one ever since the war began With each day that the fighting continues the problems of commerce and diplo- macy multiply. But, despite the pres sure of every sort first from one bel ligerent and then another, the northern states have managed to maintain a neutrality of which they are proud and
 
 world fully appreciates.
 For more than a year each of the three countries had been dealing indi- vidually with the problems of war There had been no thorough exchange of views since the gathering of the Scandinavian Kings at Malmo in De- cember, 1914. when the neutrality of the north formally was proclaimed There was perhaps just a little feeling of uneasiness, attributable to a lack of counsel, when King Gustave of Swe- den suggested the conference held here a few weeks ago.
 NEW DECLARATION OUT
 The tangible result of this three days sitting of the higher cabinet of ficers of Scandinavia was a new dec lara tion to the world of a continued neutrality, loyal and impartial" on the part of the three peoples, agreed in a concert of opinion" This confer ence, with it's free discussion of pol icies and interests, and it's renewed expression of northern agreement, was deemed especially desirable at this time in view of the coming activities of spring and summer. Officials of the three governments feel that difficult oho COulpiSA as Has DGeI tuc in the past, they have yet to deal with the real crisis of the war.
 It is realized here that before peace possibly can bring an end to hostili- ties, the situation on one side or the other must be far more desperate than lit is today. In the extremeties of this inevitable desperation the Scandinavian people are asking if acts more ruthless than any heretofore attacpted will not be committed agaj;15t :sNuSgals in a wild attempt to stay che impending crash of defeat.
 Every so often there spreads over Scandinavia the report that Germany intends eventually to seize" Denmark Of course these reports seldom get be- yond word of mouth-travelers return ing from Germany assure their friends they heard the news from reliable sources-and consequently they do not call for official or other denials. The plausible excuse given for such con- templated action by Germany is a de- sire to control absolutely the deep water entrance to the Baltic and to gain possession of the precious Danish