New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-17
Swcdens King and Socialist BrantinE
Bv Franz Dlnot
Aon Coreoondcn for Thc London Daily Chronicle ana A0' "
- ..Joyd George: The Man and His Story

eminent. then in power, was perhaps not .''
tactful but at any rate 1t did not DO" 10 'no
s,orm There were demonstrations OF an
anti Russian nature, carefully engineered by
German influence. Finally, in February
1914. what was called "the peasants demon
strationv took place in Stockholm. Trains
brought in large numbers Of people from out
living districts and they marched 70 the
Kings palace in a so-called patriotic demon
stration. great many OF the people VINO
attended were genuinely deluded By the prop
aganda that had been carried on, but, All
told. the crowd, although large TO the sigh''
was of course but mere traction OF the
neople of Sweden IL was no doubt IN &C
cordance with careful plans that the king
came out 70 the front OF the palace, al
dressed the mob and told them In heroic
words that he was with them, and that ne
personally would take steps TO consult with
his military chiefs as to what extra prepare
tions for the defence of the country were
necessary OF course. no government would
stand such action The Liberal government re-
signed. This was Just what had been planned,
and the German element were jubilant, Tor
thew expected in the resultant elections TO
sweep the country with their lingo, warlike
nroqramme No doubt Berlin chuckled at
the successful way in which its plot was
moving Ii reckoned without the Swedlsh
people. SO did the King OF Sweden. In the
election which followed the Liberals lost a
few seats. but the country as a whole re-
tanned a large majority of Socialists ana
Liberals. nearly all sympathetic to the Allies
against a minority OF Conservatives, grea'
number of whom had German sympathles'
The actual figures were Liberals and Social
lists IA Conservatives Sc. (Ihis was In the
lower house. for in the upper house, elected
in an artificial manner, the Conservatives
had 81. against SO Liberals and Socialists
OF course there was CONSERVATION IN the
pro- German circles, but the courtiers were
in an ntrenched position, having the eXecu-
tive forces of the country behind them.
A State of Balance
Out of the circumstances arose the fact
that the King was called upon 70 form what
NAV be called a non-party government, or
as in Stockholm, business government.
He did so, but he took good care that most
of its members had a pro-German tendency.
They were, however, kept in check by the
pro-Ally majority in the lower house They
dare not take their country into war on the
side of Germany, and, indeed, at this stage
it is but just to say that but for few OF
the more ardent spirits among them It was
felt better for Sweden TO keep out OF war
This did not prevent at least moral support
toward Germany. With these tides Of in
fuence running over the legislature, with a
German Queen and a pro-German King on
TOD and with Mr.. Branting leading the
masses Of the country, one is able TO get
survey of drama which in state Of bal
ance might by some fateful occurrence be set
in violent movement one way or the other.
What is to be the result TO the Swedish
nation of the recent elections Is a riddle
which may not be Immediately solved The
King and government are in command Of the
army. splendid force of 100000 men trained
on the German model with chiefs who are
imbued with German notions. The King
NAV stiffen his neck. He has had as his
Foreign Minister Mr.. Lindman, who IN the
past has been Prime Minister, highly sue
cessful man of business and a person OF
much charm and manner. His German sym
pathies are we'll known. VIII he be reap
pointed or replaced? had the advantage of
a long conversation with Mr.. Lindman before
he accepted Office and found how strongly he
felt against the partial blockade imposed by
the Allies. This, of course. was before the
present stringent embargo shut of supplies
from America and Britain.) Mr.. Lindmans
view may be expressed in the following sem
fences which he uttered to Sweden
trail nations across neutral oceans, according
10 established international usage. II the
Allies by virtue of their power impose re-
strictons with regard to imports we have 10
submit, but we do not confirm them or admit
them 10 be justihable. II is true we might
make more money By another policy, but we
have our ideals" What his feelings are
now that America and Britain have struck
really hard can only be guessed. II would
be strange if he has become less German in
his tendencies.
Revolution Might Easily Occur
1t would be unwise to dismiss the posi-
biity that the King and his advisers may
decide on a coup d'etat. They hold the army
and all the machinery OF the government.
On the other hand there may easily be
rising of the people which will sweep away
the monarchy with all its pro-German APP
purtenances, putting in control a republic.
with Mr.. Branting at its head in support OF
the Allies Should the revolution occur it
will be no fasco like that of Russia, for
Branting is a ong-headed, careful statesman.
much travelled widely experienced, who will
take no step without profound consideration
and who, when he does move, will establish
condition of things which will be irrevoca-
BILE. His position in Sweden is unique, for he
possesses an influence TAT ana away greater
than any one of the leaders in new Russia.
He has, moreover, European reputation
which will stand him in good stead in other
countries. If he should move and achieve
success, he will do so as the leader of a peo-
pie of high intellectual development a highly
sensitive and dgnified people with long cen
turtles of achievement behind them. If these
people once essay a movement they will
carry it through to point which will not
only mark an era for their own country, but
will also in the present state of affairs be
an important factor in the history of Europe.
Copyright. 1917. OTIS F. Wood
speaking tour through the country in aid OF
the present Liberty Loan at the request Of