Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-09-13
GERMANY DRAGS
SWEDEN INTO
SERIOUS TRAP
N-----+----
Hopes to Involve that Coun-
try Against Norway
and Denmark.
at Taking Denmark
and Thus Gain Control
Of Baltic.
(By g. S.

The development OF events in the
Scandinavian Countries has taken an
entirely new turn during the last Few
avs In view OF the astounding infor.
nation which tfis United States gov
eminent officials have disclosed, tend
Ing to show that Sweden, through its
accredited diplomatic representative
IN Buenos Aires, has violated its neu-
possible.
The grave charge, which has not
been denied-but in fact has been ac-
knowledged-by the Swedish govern
ment, that Count Luxburg, the Ger
diplomatic agent in the Argen-
! republic, transmitted highly I'M
portant confidential messages to his
superiors in Berlin through the Swed-
ish foreign Office, must be judged up
on Its. merits when all the details have
ed upon by those who are familiar
with diplomatic usage. Judging from
statements which have come from
Stockholm untl the time of this writ
ing, it appears that the government
finds itself in a rather isolated posi-
ton and has laid itself open to severe
criticism at the hands of dominating
groups Of patriotic Swedes.
What may become the Interior ef-
~ VI eAAS Is OpCua u GULL.
lecture, and the situation develops an
Interesting vista Of speculation as to
the outcome.
Sweden Germany's Ally.
Supposing that Sweden will be fore
ed to define her position in unmistak-
able terms, it is highly probable that
she will side with Germany. not be-
u the Swedish population is pro-
German, but because the government
finds itself in a position where it must
needs take Issue. Granted this, it is,
Furthermore, reasonable to suppose
that the government will be hamper
ed in Its pro-German activities by
popular opposition.
Swedish dynasties have several
times made the discovery that they
could not trife with the sentiment Of
the population, and the unrest pre-
vailing throughout the. country during
the spring Of this year was a serious
warning which the, rulers should have
taken to heart.
Revolution May Precede War.
The present Swedish government is
by no means popular. The members
Of the cabinet are known more for
adherence to extremely conser-
vative, indeed, almost re%actionary,
ideals than for their belief in genuine
~ AAAC hlL6 Is presumably
well liked, despite the fact that he Of
ten has defed the Just wishes of h
people and ignored their demands. It
Is significant to recall that when the
reports of this years so-called bread
strikes were sent abroad, they
added that King Gusta9 had
deemed it necessary to hold ships in
readiness for immediate fight IL the
situation should become serious, as
appeared probable.
The king, indeed, realized then, as
he must realize, now, that the first OBJ
5ect Of popular wrath would be him
self and family as well as his closest
advisers, and 1t is Easy to foresee that
reached its breaking point, a formid-
abb revolution may be the result OF
his shortsightedness.
Signs of the Times.
As far back as 1910. when the ma
donal defense problem agated the
minds of all Swedes. the abdfcarfon OF
the king was demanded. Difficulties
were smoothed out then By various
compromises between The ~goss-lruenr
and the opposition, but In Apn Of
this year, the ominous cry Of resoEu-
ton was heard In the streets Of szed-
ish cities. The population wanted 10
ascertain exactly what the
ment had done in the direction Of
defining Sweden's International status.
and 1t also asked for immediate rem
edy of the food situation which was
becoming daily more ALARMING.
However, at that time the revoIu-
ton came to nothing but a shout
which reverberated from Ystad to the
northernmost point in Norrbotten.