Evening star., 1917-11-04
THINKS AMER|CA| IS
UNJUST TO SWEDEN
Writer Argues for More Lib
eral Policy Regarding Block
ade of Supplies.
OUTLINES THE SITUATION
BY BASsETT DIGBY.

Cableeram to The Sunday Star and
Chieags Daily News. Copyright, 1917.
STOCKHOLM. Sweden, November s.
There Is q growing conviction here
that the American people do not un-
derstand the present phase of the
Swedish American economic relations
due to the blockade question. and that
some plain speaking Is highly desir.
able. Americas Justification for en-
forcing a veto on sending supplies to
Sweden was the need of preventing
supplies of the same goods from enter
ing Germany. Very slight supplies of
such goods did enter Germany this
summer. mainly due to a stricteI
blockade policy. Doubtless had sup
plies come freely the former conserya-
tive government would have continued
to permit exports to Germany.
Blockade justified, So Far.
Thus far the blockade is justified.
Now the Swedish nation has made a
clean sweep Of its Germanophile min
listers and replaced them by men neu-
tral In sentiment. The new socialist
liberal government is willing to give
the fullest guarantees that what Amer
lea is able to spare shall be consumed
by the Swedes. Yet extraordinary
declarations are being published in
withheld on the ground that they may
go to feed and provide necessities and
comforts for men working in Sweden's
own fndustries who exchange some
coal. drugs and salt. These declara-
tions demand, In so many words. the
total cessation Of Sweden's trade with
Germany.
All Of sweden's industries soon will
stop unless It continues to get Ger
man coal. 1t has none. American
tonnage Is too busy to supply 1t. II
Sweden sends its own ships for Ameri-
can coal through the danger zone they
are almost sure to be sunk. Germany
In the last year. expressly to preve It
an accumulation Of reserve stock. The
Germans will not send coal unless they
get wood pulp and iron ore.
Toresees Financial Chaos.
Moreover. insistence on the complete
stoppage Of trade between Sweden and
Germany ts certain to bring financial
chaos and widespread ruin. II the
American people think a blockade will
bring Sweden into the war on our side
they arc entirely mistaken.
Sweden is firmly neutral. There is
no appreciable section Of the people
willing to entertain the idea of war
with or against US. Whatever priva-
tions come Sweden will not take up
arms. 1t could do no good against us,
| and could do no good against Germany.
| but would meet only the speedy fate
OF Rumania and Serbia. If Sweden is
given fair deal and spared supplies
against guarantees not to permit their
export. we will have the sympathy OF
hve-sixths of the nation, but II we
starve Sweden for refusing to stop all
| its Industries by refusing German coal
and to break all commercial relations
with Germany. Americas name will be
| cursed for generations to come. and
! what would be more serious than to
| have stamped as humbug the claim OF
championship of small nations?
Situation Grows More Serious.
!, These are plain words. but the plain
truth. Endorsed by every American liv-
ing in Sweden. The stoppage Of Amer.
lean exports Is daily more serious In
its effects. II supplies do not come
soon Sweden Is likely to be In a worse
| economic plight than Germany. for 1,
lacks the industrial and agricultural
resources of central and southeast Eu.
rope. Moreover, while the best brains
Of Germany has had more than three
years to develop ingenious substitutes
Sweden has done nothing in this direc-
tion. 1t always hoped to continue its
imports.