New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-05
Premier Declares America
Would Have Done as
Has His Country.
NEED NOT FEAR
ANY BELLIGERENT
DR.. Hammerskjold Insists
Sweden Cannot Offer
To Be Mediator.

Stockholm, Oct. 4.-Sweden, desir-
ing to maintain her neutrality, seeks
more Intensive collaboration OF
neutrals," her Premier, DR.. X. H. l..
Hammarskjold, said to-day in the only
interview he has given to foreign
journalist since the war began.
The Premier said that he hoped the
United States would aid in such col
laboration "in the present exception
al circumstances" The American
stand against the British blacklist, he
added, found hearty Endorsement in
Sweden.
Sweden proclaimed her attitude of
neutrality at the very outbreak of the
war" said Dr. Hammarskjold. "All her
actions since that time have borne out
that proclamation, and ali rumors or
accusations that she has done, or In
tends to do, anything inconsistent with
this attitude are due either to failure
to comprehend her situation or to some
less creditabe reason. And whenever
Sweden has taken any step displeaslng
one or another belligerent power her
action has been dictated solely by con-
siderations of the Kingdoms own neces-
sites and of its future welfare, and not
by any partisan reasons. We hope
sincerely that the belligerents will not
make it impossible for Us to maintain
this attitude unto the end"
ur:II ID.
The Premier laid stress on his gov
ernment's desire to follow answering
ly the policy Of nonpartsanship thus
far followed
"And when you get to know the
Swedes better you will, think, find
that when they say or promise thing
they mean it," he exclaimed
The Premier referred to certain
measures of the belligerent powers
mentioned in the official communication
issued OF September %, after the con-
ference of the scandinavian ministers
at Christiania, particularly the destruc-
tion Of neutral prizes at sea, interior
ence with neutral shipping and the
blacklist Sweden, he said, found It
self in harmony with America in its
protest against this measure.
"The blacklist is Objectionable said
DR.. Hammarskjold, mot only because
Of its present operation, but because 1t
will affect the future of the victims.
We feel that it constitutes an unjust
attempt TO deprive certain of our clti-
zens of their rights, and we do not like
to see any Swedish subject lose any OF
his rights as a citizen unless by Judg-
ment OF the courts.
Welcomes American Action.
1--WE are glad to know that the United
States has taken steps in this matter,
and we have welcomed other steps by
that government in the defence of the
rights of ueutrals and for the uphold
ing Of the rules Of international law. ]
NAV perhaps say that already, before
our conference at Chrlstiania, We had
striyen to keep feeling with the United
States in regard 10 action in this dlrec-
ton.
1.-THE Christana communique lays
stress on the desirability of more ex-
tensive and, at the same time, more
intensive collaboration Of neutrals.
We hope that the traditional politics
Of the United States will not prevent
IT, in the present exceptional circum
stances from interesting itself in such
collaboration.
Restrictions which are felt in COM
paratively small measure by the great
America can strike at our very vitals.
We are convinced that in our situation
the Americans. who appreciate AS much
AS we do the independence of a coun-
try and the legal rights Of its citizens,
would feel and act aXectly as we do.
America is in the fortunate pos.
ton that she is the greatest of all
neutrals, far removed from the strife
and with great resources. She really
does not need to be greatly concerned
about whether this or that step does
make her unpopular with one or the
otbor bolIioaraut ~