New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-25
and Water Edition

her fortunes with Germany when the armies
of the Kaiser we're pushing their way into
Russian Baltic provinces will probably never
be known till long after peace is made and
the diplomatic records Of neutrals and bel
ligerents are opened TO the world. The ac-
twists of Sweden were gaining in power daily
An inspired book. Swedish Foreign Policy in
the Light of the World War" purporting to
have been written by Swedish Socialists and
calculated to win over to the activist wing the
section of tie Socialist and Left parties, still
pro-Ally or devoted to neutrality, sold BY
thousands The book pointed out that a Ger
man victory was essential 20 the progress Of
socialism and world peace.
But military events took sudden turn
cooling the ardor of the Swedish sctivists.
Germany halted her northern campaign or
was halted. The Kaiser turned his attention
TO the Balkans. German troops bombsrding
their way toward Petrograd were immediately
replaced by German propagsndists Smelling
Stockholm. The favorite ammunition of tho
latter was the Baltic question.
German Propaganda
of German political efficiency. but it failed to
work. The Swedes were told that Germsny's
fixed war programme included the weakening
Of Russia in the Baltic region. Russia was
TO be stripped of Courland, LiYonis, Esthonia
and Finland, leaving the Slsvs only Petrograd
and bit Of surrounding country mere
portfolio on the Baltic. In return Germany
would favor giving Russia an outlet on the
Indian Ocean, where she could discuss her
future commercial and naval progress with
her present ally, England.
This adrot campaign of speculation was
sandwlched here and there with hints that
Germany knew her strength" and did not need
Sweden's help. In fact, it might be uuwise
for Germany 20 commit herself to the inter-
csts of Sweden in return for whatever help
the Swcdes might offer. lt.might not be a
good policy for Germany to complicate her
relations with Russia by procaiming herself
= guardian angel for Scandinavia. II might
happen that Germany might find it TO her
interest to proclaim disinterestedness in the
Baltic peninsula.
1t was blowing both hot and cold for Swe-
zen. but the neat team WOEh OF lHe OeTILdH
writers in their campaign of naive cajolery,
base fattery and thuglike threats was fat
failure. 1t did not unsettle the equilibrium
of King Gustaf and Premier Hsmmarskjold.
Military events alone could have brought Swe-
den around, ii indeed her statesmen would
not have proven strong enough to resist the
activists. The German propagandists made
the simple mistake they have made since the
war began-almost every word they wrote
was an insult to the intelligence Of the peO-
pie whom they addressed.
Even at that Sweden remains pro-German.
But the actvists are not so strong as they
once were. The aristocracy ia strongest in
its leanings toward the Kaiser. The titled
Swedes have been accused of being more pro-
German than pro.Sweden. They have been
accused of contemplating a political union
with Germany as materially and morally
favorable. Germanys acts Of aggression are
condoned by the sctivists Of the Right party
end the Right press.
If the Germans had marched on Petrograd
il is more than likely that the Swedes would
have joined in the fray. Finland, the old
cockpit OF Russ and Swede. would have been
devastated and Swedes and Firms would
probably be starving to-day, bleeding TO death
and chanting Runebergs magic lays over new
ruins of farms and cities.