New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-10
THE SCANDINAVIAN DILEMMA,
By JOHN G. HOLME

President wilson's suggestion OF Dreah 10
its first fruit Al
Those who are closest in touch with
the three northern kingdoms, and are there
fore fully cognizant of their weakness when
compared with the giants struggling IN TINS
wor pr.dict that Scandinavia will hesitate q
long time before issuing any ultlmatuH'
against Germany's ruthless sea warfare
oven ar the invitation Of President wilson
To break with Germany in this hour OF her
desneration would be to invite disaster such
"a has overtaken Belgium, Serbia and Ru-
mania. not to mention Greece.
Denmark would inevitably be the FIRST
Country attacked if anything went amiss be-
tr,aen Germany md the Scandinavian coun-
,riss and IL the Kaiser should decide to ADD
few more nations 70 his enemies. Against
snv force which the Teutons might release
from other fronts and from the reserves 70
burl down through Schleswig-Holstein the
names could summon for defence trained
army of hardly more than 100000. ms III
,lo hand. facing experienced warriors, wouio
,robablv he snnihilated and the country con-
ouered before Norway. with a total available
war strength of 10000 men, and SWEDEN
with a war strength of 100000, could oHer
any aid.
In view of these facts, Scandlnavians are
likely to tighten their belts and suner pa
tiently the discomforts of restricted diet IN
preference to making any angry gestures 10
Germany, even .f their rights are lnfrlngeo
upon. Fortunately, the affairs of the Scan
djnavians are in the hands of thoroughly
capable statesmen, at least three or -FOUR o.
whom have displayed great wisdom II
handling the delicate problems imposed oy
the world conflict. Among the men holding
the reins in Scandinavia who have won the
admiration of neutrals and belligerents alike
since the war began and the complete con
fdence of their own countrymen arc MING
Gustave V of Sweden. perhaps the most com
petent living monarch Premier Hanmars
kiold of Sweden, Premier c. TIL. Iahle OF
Denmark and Dr. +. Brandes. Danish MN
ster of Finance. brother Of Georg brandes
the famous critic.
But while the Scandinavian countries can
be depended upon TO act together IN any sl'
uation growing out of the submarine BLOCK
ade and threatening the existence OF theli
subjects their interests are not alike III TINS
war. Denmark. unable to forget the loss OF
Schleswig- Holstein, is Overwhelmingly pro-
Ally Norway may be said to be the same
although some of the leading men OF the
country have espoused' the cause OF Germany
Norway has always been friendly to England
and English commercial interests are quite
heavy throughout the country. Sweden, OF
the other hand, has exactly the same reason
for dslking and fearing Russia as DenmarS
has for opposing the fortunes Of Germany
Sweden was despoiled Of Finland IN wal
even more unjust than that which separated
Schleswig- Holstein from Denmark. sweden
fears further aggression from Russia, Sun
looking for warm seaport. one wouIo
think that every loyal Swede would pray for
the success of Russia in winning CONSTANT.
ronle and thus relieving the real or fancied
nressure of the Russian Bear toward the
Swedish border, but such is not the case
The Socialists Of Sweden are outspokeniy
for the Allies, but their attitude is DIS
counted as a political maneuvre against the
other parties.