South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-05-18
SWEDEN TAKES
NEUTRAL STAND
Government Safely Past AC-
twist Attempt to Force
Nation Into War.

International News Service:
STOCKHOLM. May Il, via Lon
don, May 1S.-2:O7 a. m.-The
Swedish crisis has passed and the
ton which would plunge the country
into war has failed Sweden will
remain firmly and impartially neu-
trail. The government feels no alarm
concerning Russia's activity in forti-
flying the Aiand islands. lying off
the east coast of Sweden between
the Gulf Of Bothnia and the Baltic
sea.
Reassuring statements to this eff
feet were made today in both
chambers of the riksdag. The an
nOuncement by Foreign Minister
Wallenberg of the governments po-
sition was followed by statements
from the leaders Of the socialist,
liberal and conservative parties. in
which confidence in the government
and satisfaction over its course were
expressed.
This evidence Of complete
agreement between the contending
political factions in the riksdag with
the government and the king means
that Sweden today is more united
against entering the war than at any
time since the world hostilities
began. 1t also shows that the con-
servatives were not willing TO lend
20 the activist war group the aid
they had expected but preferred to
cooperate with the socialists and
liberals in their determination TO
keep Sweden neutral. The propa-
ganda for war, which began with
TIC recent Interpolation of the gov
eminent in the riksdag regarding
Russia's fertilization of the Aland is
lands is regarded as futile. and it
seems that the only chance now of
precipitating war would be an overt
act by one of the belligerent coun-
tries. The agreement which came
as a surprise TO the Swedish people
today was the cause of an intense
feeling of relief. 1t is felt now that
the government either will ignore
the Aland islands Interpolation or
answer il at some indefinite time in
the future
Whole Cabinet Present.
When the riksdag met today the
entire Swedish cabinet was present
in the first cham Der. The vice pres
ident of the chamber said the pres
ence Of the government officials sug-
gested that it might be an OppOr-
tune time 10 say something with
respect to the general diplomatic
situation. Foreign Minister Wallen-
berg at once responded, saying in
part:
AS 10 the Aland islands: Any
one who has followed the historical
developments OF this question must
recognize its vital Importance to
Sweden. This was the opinion OF
the riksdag and the government in
1908. and is the opinion of the gov
eminent in 1916 and I believe the
riksdag shares that opinion also in
1916. can assure the chamber
that the government deems it its
duty TO follow this question with
unwavering attention. and nothing
will be neglected to preserve the
rights and interests Of Sweden in
this. as in other fields.
ANY explanation beyond this /
cannot, for obvious reasons. give at
this time"
Foreign Minister Wallenberg's
statement was received with cries of
bravo" Hjalmar Branting. the So
cialist leader. Immediately took the
floor and thanked the foreign min
ister for his assurances that Sweden
would maintain her right OF self
determination and unwaveringly
continue her policy Of neutrality.