Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-21
SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES
HOPING TO ESCAPE WAR
Noticeable Feeling Of Relief In Three
Neutral Nations OF tho
North.
CONFERENCE AT COPENHAGEN
Their Position More or Less Delicate
Ever Since Conflict Began, and
Each Day Problems OF Commerce
and Diplomacy Multiply.

toPENHAGE EN-, DENMARK, May 20
Although no official statement has
been made as to the detailed delibera-
lions OF the conference of Scandina-
Wan Premers and Foreign Ministers
recently held here. tho meeting Itself
seems to have wrought a noticeable
feeling OF relief I'm the three neutral ma
lions of the north and there is without
doubt just n little moro confidence that
these countries will be able to fight
their way through the difficulties OF
the war without being drawn into the
hostilities.
The position Of the Scandinavian
ountries-Denmark. Norway and Swc-
den--has been more or less a delicate
one ever since tho war began. With
each day that the fighting continued
tho problems Of commerce and diplo-
macy multiply. But despite pressure OF
every sort, first from one bclIigercnt
and then another. the northern states
nave managed TO maintain n neutral
ity OF which they are proud and which
they believe the noncomba,ant world
fully appreciates,
For more than a year each of the
three countries had been dealing in
There had been no thorough exchange
OF views since the gathering of the
Scandinavian Kings ut Malmo in De-
cember. 1914. when tho neutrality of
tho north formally was proclaimed
There was. perhaps. just a little feeling
of uneasiness. attributable to a lack
OF counsel. when King Gustave. Of
Sweden. suggested tho conference held
fett- Anl
The tangible result OF this three
days sitting OF tho higher Cabinet Of
hccrs OF Scandinavia was a new decla-
ration TO the world Of a continued neu-
trality. loyal ana impartial" on the
part of the three peoples. agreed in a
concert OF opinion This conference.
with its free discussion of policies and
interests. and it's renewed expression
Of northern agreement. was deemed
especially desirable at this time in view
Of tho coming activities Of spring and
summer. Officials Of the three govern
ments feel that difficult and complex
as has been the situation In the past
they have yet TO deal with the real
crisis Of the war.
II is realized here that before peace
possibly can bring an end to hosti!i-
tics the situation on one side or the
niher must be far more desperate than
u is to-day. In the cXtrcmities o!
this inevitable desperation the Scan
dinavian people are asking II acts far
more ruthless than any heretofore at
tempted WIFI not be committed agains,
'ientrals in n wild at;cmp, to stay the
impending crash OF defeat.
Ever so often there SDrcads ornr
s,t;
,.,,,,,'. mai
-. IT,
'p'' - '''uo'" ee' DC
- return
N"' ''""! "'S"'e '"t'' i''chos
'''' i'o'n feHa"!e
"'!a consequently theN 10 not
'ot o'i'c'hi or o'hef dchih's. The
''aus'o'" excuse given TOT snch con
'emP!a'en acton BY Germany is de-
s''c 10 control absolutely the deep
water entrance |" The Baltic and 20 gain
possession OF the rreciou Danish but
ter. eggs and bacon so much needed
In Germany and shinn.I rovy IN Suct
great quantities to Great Britain
,rn>u,. ACHIEVEMENTS ,,op.
~ S..r,.,, ,,
y" '"e o'her hahh' there comes just
- '''"h, rom s"cdeh or Norway the
''P''' 'n'' 's'"hc' WIN prolonged
SueSs 81 wal "oui" eventually shut
''' "'' suPP'es from 'he scandinavian
eou''! az 'he one sure methoc or
H'oPl'hs !eahs 10 germany and AUS
80" "s ia"u mas trade agreements
80 way "'u L'ehnharK' however
''N' "e''' 10 nc WORKING In salts
'"-''' manner An eHort was made
o'' '''''e hSo 10 negotiate such an
10 'ee"'e"' WIN sweden, nut the Swcd-
-" eoNei 'ineht 'houeht the PROPOSE
80" I'm treat hrl'aih 100 one
cue" Ie'' that she mad par
...uiar eiei'"s ior consideration from
England fnasmnch as Sweden consti-
tutes the great highway TO Russia in
war time England and Sweden now
deal with each other on an informal,
and not officially recognized give and
take" basis. III England allo a GER