The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-02-09
NEUTRALSBALK
AT WILSON PLAN
Sweden and Holland Re-
fuse to Sever Relations
With Germany.
APPROVAL IN NEW WORLD
Uruguay, Panama and Bolivia
Support Attitude of Presi-
dent Wilson.
APPROVAL IN NEW WORLD

STOCKHOLM. via London, Feb. s.--The
Swedish Government rejects President
Wilson's suggestion that other neutral
countries join with the United States in
severing diplomatic relations with Ger
many and declares its intention to fol-
low the strictest neutrality so long as it
Is possible. Sweden's reply was deliv-
cred to the American Minister to-day.
THE Government Of the United States
has chosen as a means of arriving at the
realization of peace a method absolutely
contrary TO the principles which have
guided the policy of the swedish Gov
ernment up to the present hour"
So declares the Swedish note. which
the Minister of Foreign Affairs. X. A.
wallenberg. delivered to the American
Minister. Ira n Morris. in reply to
President Wilson's invitation to Sweden
to join with the United States. which
Mr.. Morris communicated to the Swed-
ish Government on Monday. The text
of the note follows:
Tells of Rejected Proposals.
The policy followed by the royal
Government during the war has been
one OF strictly impartial neutrality.
The royal Government has done every
thing in It's power faithfully to fulfill
all the duties which this policy imposes
upon it. and at the same time it has
rendered effective so far as possible
the rights derived therefrom.
with a view to obtaining a practical
result in upholding the principles Of
international law. the royal Govern
10 neutral Powers In order to effect CO.
operation. with the aforesaid object in
view. Above all. the royal Govern
ment has not failed to submit to the
Government of the United States a pro-
posal to this effect!
The royal Government has observed
with great regret that the interests OF
the United States have not permitted
it to accept these proposals, The steps
thus taken by the royal Government
have led TO the taking of common meas
ures among Sweden Denmark and Nor
way with regard to the two belligerent
groups.
Refuses to Follow L. $.
I'm the policy followed by the royal
Government in order to maintain its
neutrality and to safeguard the legiti-
mate rights OF the country. the royal
Government. alive to the indescribable
sufferings which from day 10 day more
cruelty oppress all humanity. is ready
TO seize every opportunity which offers
itself to contribute to the realization
of near and durable peace Conse-
uucntly II hastened to associate itself
with the noble initiative taken by the
President, with a view to examining the
possibility of instituting negotiations be-
tween the belligerents.
THE proposal which forms the subject
OF the present correspondence has as Its
aim the shortening of the evils OF the
war, but the Government OF the United
States has chosen as means of ar-iv-
ing at this end a method absolutely
contrary to the principles which have
guided the policy of the royal Govern
men up to the present hour.
"The royal Government, supported by
public opinion. confirmed by the unani-
nous solicitations of the csuntry's rep
resentatives, intends to follow in the
future, as in the past, n policy OF neu-
trality and impartiality toward both
belligerent groups"