Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-08-14
international News Service staff.
Correspondent.


New York, Aug l4.--'If the Ameri-
con people expect that Sweden can
be forced to break with Germany and
enter the war with all its miseries,
either on the one side or the other
/ they do not know Sweden's situation
and will be disappointed. This is
I the statement made to me in Stock.
holm by a high official the day | left
fer America,
1T is quite impossible quite
impossible" he said with emphasis
You do not understand the difficult
ties of our position between two
fires Disagreed as they may be on
some points, the Swedish people are
in absolute accord and unity to pre-.
serve our neutrality to the end of the
war and unalterably opposed to en-
ring the war. Even the opposition
or socalled Pro-Ally party, which is
very strong in Sweden, does not want
to enter the war and on that point
is in accord with the government.
Only one thing can bring Sweden into
this conflict and that is, if one or the
other side attacks or invades US That
and that alone. With our difficulties
and miseries already great, with the
horrors of war so close before our
eyes for three years, we would be
nothing short of madmen to plunge
into this conflict which would only in.
crease. not diminish, our miseries and
sufferings and in which Sweden could
only lose and gain nothing"
II | were permitted to quote the
Official by name, the importance of
the statement would be seen But he
insisted that he was talking privately
and not officially touched upon
Sweden breaking relations with Ger
many or closing her borders to the
central empires. impossible quite
impossible. We are too dependent
upon Germany for certain things, es.
pccally cool--thines we must have to
live"
The question, much talked about in
Europe, whether an absolute agree
mont exists between the three Scan.
dInayian countries to Jointly main
tain neutrality and not to act singly
the official declined to discussed That
some such agreement. whether only
"a gentleman's agreement" or some.
thing more formal. does not exist. |
was assured in wellinformed circles.
both in Copenhagen and in Stock.
holm
Sweden with an effective army az
large as that of both Norway and Den
mark, undoubtedly better couipped
ana Tar better supplied with guns and
ammunition than either, can be said
to practically dominate the Scandina
wan situation Danish officials frank.
~ told me that Danmark would last
ahout two weeks If it entered the war
against Germany, even in the present
stage, without other assistance. They
protested to believe that Danmark's
entrance IN the war could only serve
10 strengthen Germany's position
s'rategcally and help her out greatly
III The matter of food.
sweden can put an effective army If
oou,oo0 men In the field In organiz,.
ton, drill, discipline, equipment and
appearance they remind one strongly
OF the Germany army The Swedish
troops make an excellent impression
III artillery and In aviation, the Swc.
ulsh army is so far ahead of the Danes
ana the Norwegans, that there is mn
comparison. It is easy to see why
Norway and Denmark can hardly
make SO vital move as entering tho
war without knowing what Sweden,
would do.
| asked the high government official
"hom have quoted, to explain to mo
SWeden's position. He turned TO his
desk and drew out a mass OF otIicia,
data and figures, which is explained
ana cited IN detail The following are
given me.
me chief scarctes in Sweden are
coal, wheat and fodder Sweden re-.
CURES 400 900 to 100000 tons of coal
per month to keep her railroads and
industries running and for other do.
nestle purposes Before the war nv
tar the greater part of her coal came
IRON England. Since the war. and es
peoially after the beginning of sub.
marine war she has had to rely ON
Germany.