New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-09
RUSSIA'S WAY
WITH SWEDEN
Political Bitterness Is Met
with Tempting Economic
Proposal.
Stockholm, September IS.

Tho war has brought great riches 70
the Scandinavian countries. but as far
as Sweden is concerned q certain bit
ter sentiment has been engendered by
ons war measure Russia deemed neces-
sary for her own protection. This IS
the erection Of Notifications on the
AaIand Islands. Some Swedish states
men declared Russia broke q treaty In
fortifying these islands. but semi-offi-
cial information from Russia declares
the buildings erected are only for
temporary use and can be In no way
considered permanent structures.
Russia Is undoubtedly endeavoring
to keep the good will Of her neighbors
in the north and is striving now for
closer economic relations with
Sweden and the other Scandinavian
countries, just as the Car Is making
strong bid for American trade connec'
tons. Russian propaganda in Sweden
is very active, not less than q dozen
pro- Russian periodicals having been
established since year. They lay
particular stress on the Importance OF
the scandinavian countries for Rus
sian commerce. In the first place, they
say Russia must rely for her indus
trial imports to great extent on
Sweden, and in the second place the
Scandinavian countries are expected to
handle the American transit trade TO
and from Russia. Tho most important
Of the periodicals established is the
Russian Export and Import Review
which appears in Swedish. Danish and
Russian, and whose editor, X. 5.
Leites, is well known Swedish
writer. He pointed out In recent
article that the rapid development OF
Swedish industries must be followed
by the search for new markets.
Sweden now has 11,4e2 factories
with 100000 workmen, who produce
goods to the value Of 1,66o.oOo,ooo
kronen annually. The change from an
agricultural to an industrial state
seems very quick. because fifty years
ago the country had only 2,465 in
Gustrial establishments employing 3d.
900 hands and producing goods to the
value of only 100000 kronen. Rus
STA has become a good customer for
Sweden, especially as far as machines
and tools are concerned. This is the
Youngest Of all Swedish industries, and
while il sent goods worth 2S,OOO.ooo
kronen to the Russian market in leoo
the export has since increased to w.
100000.
Tho pro-Russian press IN Sweden
is rather unanimous In the opinion that
both countries can establish COM
Elementary relations, Russia furnish
ing agricultural products to Sweden
while Sweden, becoming more and more
industrialized, will share with America
the Russian market for finished goods
In this manner the government OF the
Car hopes to escape q new German
economic thraldom after the war
However, the independent and pro-uef-
man press in Sweden, by no means an
insignificant factor, advances weighty
political reasons why Sweden should
not become dependent for food supplies
on Russia. There is an historical
basis for a certain apprehension on the
part of Sweden, and it should not be
forgotten that Swedes in general do
not consider the Finnish question en-
tirely settled.
In judging the attitude Of all the
Scandinavian countries toward England
and Russia we must not lose sight OF
the fact that the Scandinavisns are
much fattered by the importance their
countries have gained during the war
and that they would be eager to retain
the character Of the three Kingdoms as
great transit markets, which have been
developed by the force Of circum-
stances