New-York tribune., 1918-04-28

Events can only strengthen the sol-
darity between the sister nations. The
future of our race will depend upon
the understanding between the three
countries. We must form a solid group
to defend our independence against any
influence of whatever kind; but this
group will open wide its windows
toward the west.'
National independence
Is Now Threatened
This is undoubtedly a correct state
ment of the general attitude and posi-
ton of those northern peoples. West
ern liberty was cradled amidst their
sturdy rocks, and while the seats and
power of its modern development have
long since been transferred to the
larger and more richly endowed lands
to the west, the Norsemen, amid the
shifting fortunes and vicissitudes of
centuries, have been able to preserve
their precious heirloom Of liberty and
independence. Their racial treasure
and national independence are now
threatened by the renegade, bastard
branch of the Teutonic stock, which
has perverted the original high ideals
of liberty, independence, manly courage
and chivalry into the hideous mon
strosity of tyranny, cruelty and op-
preston that threatens the liberty and
happiness Of all the world. Surely
they have their windows wide open
toward the west, for nowhere else can
they look for salvation.
They are looking toward the west
with the sympathy born of common
ideals, but also with a hope of help.
Left to themselves, they would be over
| powered by the German military ma
chine. Among them the three coun-
tries could place 100000 trained men
IN the field, IN every way as good fight
ers as the Germans. But Denmark
would be seized before succor could
reach her, and Sweden and Norway
would very likely succumb in the end
Their combined force of some 700 900
trained fighters would be more than a
match for any army that Germany
could attempt to land on their shores
at this time. But they would be over
whelmed in the air, on the sea and
under the sea. Their cities would be
laid in ruins by German airships. and
their people would be starved by Ger
man control of the sea. They would
probably fight for their Independence
and liberty, in any event, even against
/ these tremendous odds, and with
prompt and adequate assistance thov
would win.
Without an independent and free
Scandinavia the world will not be free
Germany Graves control of those coun-
tries and their waters as essential to
full realization of her purpose to
establish her "Weltmacht" Even with
her sweeping conquests in the East her
power would be incomplete. her do-
mlnlon precarious without command of
the sea. To rule the world she must
rule the waves. One of her primary
war aims in the present contest is. and
must be, to wrest the rule of the sea
from Britannia. That she cannot hope
to do as long as Scandinavia remains
free and independent. Possession of
Scandinavia would give her maritime
strategic position far superior to that
of Great Britain. She would have 81
her command incompatible naval bases
and vast resources for naval construc-
ton; she would then eventually over
take Great Britain in building war
ships; the North Sea, also, would be-
come German lake, and Great Britain
would have to surrender the sceptre as
mistress of the sea.
Scandinavian independence is thus a
matter of direct vital interest, not only
to Great Britain, but to America as
we'll. With Germany dominant on land
and sea, practically all of Europe would
be closed to our products and fabrics.
as the virgin eastern part of Europe is
now, except upon terms that Berlin
might see fit to grant Our position
would become not only extremely peril
Gus but intolerable. Our country
would have to be Transformed into an
armed camp for no one can say how
long, and the energies Of our people
would be consumed in the inevitable
task of setting humanity and the whole
world free again.
Assuredly, it is Of the most vital
interest to America and our Allies to
take prompt and adequate steps to
forestall another of those surprises
which have marked the successive
sweeping conquests of German strategy
during the war. The strategic i'm
portance Of the Scandinavian countrie.
cannot be overestimated, especially at
this stage of the war. Without a FREQ
Scandinavia neither the sea nor the
world can remain free.