East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1916-12-02
SCANDIHbVIAHS TO
STAND IN ALLIANCE
RESPECT FOR UNITED STATES is
VERY NOTICEABLE IN NEU-
TRIAL COUNTRIES OF NORTH
(BY WIN. PHILIP sIMMsl

(BY WM. PHILIP SIAdMS)
United Press Staff Correspondent.
CHRISTIANIA, Dec. 2.-If the
Swedes by stretching things bit can
be called pro-German, the Norwegi-
ans. without stretching things at all,
are pro-Ally. ss
NOrwegians and Swedes are not par
ticularly fond OF each other and In the
recent Neutral Alliance 1t was more
feeling of self preservation than any
thing else which brought about the
union of Sweden. Norway and Den
mark,
For here one does not hear much
talk of a Beautiful Peace in the near
future in which all the nations Of the
world will have hand. Nor does any
body seem to believe that this is the
last great war; or that after this war
IL over little nations will be safe from
molestation by the big.
Rather the feeling is that "prepar-
cdness" is the only remedy which for
a long time to come will prove effec-
tive, All eyes are on the United
States to see what steps she is going
to take along these lines for, what
ever people may say in Europe or at
home, the prestige of the United States
has not suffered in Scandinavia.
Wherever / have been in Norway and
Sweden-and 1 have been twice in
Norway and three times in Sweden
since the war-only good words were
heard of America. Americans here
say the American nation was never
more highly respected than now.
So now Swedes, Norwegians and
Danes are watching the United States
to see what lines her "preparedness'
program is to take.
Norwegians welcome cooperation
with Sweden and Denmark. Already
three general meetings have been
held: One in Sweden-the first-tho
second in Denmark and the third
here. There will be others as occasi-
on demands. But as to just what
transpired at these meetings no one
is yet absolutely certain despite the
official communiques which were
handed out after each. This much,
however, is certain:
Norway, Sweden and Denmark have
agreed to act together on all questions
affecting their neutrality.
To take joint steps as regards Black
Lists promulgated by belligerent
powers.
To inquire jointly into commercial
espionage, or acts whereby foreign
countries come into possession of
trade secrets of the three Scandinavia
an countries.
To establish a working basis for
commercial cooperation after the
war
To reach an agreement concerning
Scandinavian shipping, the effects Of
the Allied blockade and of German
U-boats.
To agree on steps necessary to main
tain their neutrality.
This much the three countries are
known to have discussed. But 1t is
generally believed that they went fur
ther than that and became to all in
tents and purposes Allies for pur-
poses of defense in the future.
A Swede told me:
IF the Scandinavian countries are
to remain free, they must, absolutely,
come together and agree on a policy
Of mutual assistance in time of trou-
ble."
This seems to be the general feeling
here. People seem of the opinion that
the world will remain topsy-turvy for
some years to come, and that weak
lings among nations are menace to
themselves and temptation to their
neighbors. OF course nobody talks Of
aggressive alliance here. But neither
Swedes, Norwegians nor Danes want
to be caught out on a limb.
So it happens that Norwegians
Swedes and Danes, with no particu-
lar friendship for each other may be
expected to stand as one in the fu-
ture