New-York tribune., 1917-11-28
Fear That Norway Will
Declare War Leads
to Threat by
Berlin
Three Kings Will
Discuss Menace
Scandinavian Mon
archs Meet-Power
of Pan.Germans
Now Growing

COPENHAGEN, Nov. 27.-Behind the
meeting OF the scandinavian monarchS
and ministers at Christiania this week
lies the fear, unfounded though it ma!
be, of Norway's entry into the wal
and of the menace that Germany In
this case should feel called upon tc
occupy Denmark as a CONFERENCE.-The
The Associated Press learns from
responsible source that the conference
was arranged in consequence OF an IN
timetion from Germany that the
growth of anti-German sentiment IN
Norway, particularly after the sinking
Cf the convoy in the North Sea by Ger
man cruisers, is being followed with
concern by Germany and that it is
feared that Norway might be impelled
either by excited public opinion or
pressure from the Allied side, to enter
the struggle at least to the point OF
granting a naval base to England and
the United States, in which event Ger
many would feel called upon to seize
a CORES ponding base IN Denmark.
Berlin Confirms Report
Upon the receipt of this information
al Copenhagen word was hurriedly sent
to King Gustave of Sweden, and Den
marks most prominent citizen, Presi-
dent Andersen, Of the Danish East Ash
attic Company, who ia high In the con-
iidence of Berlin. as we'll as London,
was dispatched to Berlin TO verify the
report, and. il possible. to change the
German attitude. MIR. Andersen con-
ferred with DR.. Won Kuehlmann. Sec
rotary for Foreign Affairs. at Berlin,
and he confirmed the report, adding
that, in consequence of the Italian and
Russian developments. the military and
Pan German elements were again in
the saddle in Germany and exerting
influence against which the Foreign
Office, with its more moderate views,
found it most difficult to contend.
King Gustave came to Copenhagen
and spent a day in conference with
King Christian, President Andersen
and the Danish ministers, the subject
matter of the conferences being COW
cred by a display of gala perform
ances, an opera ballet. ceremonial ban
quet and the conventional interchange
of speeches. AS a result Of the con-
ference q decision was reached to make
every possible effort to moderate the
excited Norwegian sentiment and con-
tinue the three Scandinavian Kingdoms
in the path of joint neutrality.
Kings Meet in Norway
King Gustavc returned to Stockholm
and launched The suggestion Of con-
ference of the three kings, accom-
panied by .hc premiers and foreign
ministers, a. Christiania, wnich was
accepted, the Norwegians being fiat
tered with the thought Of the first visit
from a Swedish monarch in the Nor
wegian capital since the separation Of
the two countries.
1t is difficult to judge how far Ger
many was actuated in its step by genu-
inc fear of Norwegian action; how far
ty a desire TO force Norway into toning
down its strongly anti-German senti-
ment and wave the "big stick" over the
three countries during the pending
negotiations with the UntedStates and
the Entente regarding the embargo, and
thereby get as good bargain as pos
sible for Germany.
On the one hand a Dane in high po-
siton in the secret, with whom the
correspondent discussed the subject,
considered it utterly out of the ques-
tion that Norway, of her own accord,
would abandon neutrality and said he
attached no importance to the sporadic
reports Of American or British inten-
tion to seize a base in Norway the bet
ter to combat the submarine. Promi-
nent Norwegisns de!are that war senti-
ment in their country is negligible.
The same view has Deeh expressed in
statements in the Norwegian Parla-
ment, probably inspired by the German
warning.
Germany Perturbed
On the other hand, Germany is evil
IDENTIFY perturbed by the state of Nor
wegian public opinion. The German
Minister to Norway, Admiral Won
Hintzc, who, it is reported, had oeen
sent to that country as the apostle OF
the strsng hand. has been visiting Ber-
lin to repor. on the situation.
A Danish member Of the German
Reichstag has just visited Norway on
what can undoubtedly be described as
a pacifying mission, and mass of in
spired editorial matter is being telc-
graphed from the German press and
By the correspondents in Berlin in an
endeavor to convince Norwegians Of
the unwisdom Of extreme snti-Germsn
feeling and Of the benevolence Of Ger
man intentions as respects them.