The Devils Lake world and inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1915-1920, 1918-11-27
CONDITIONS IN
SCANDINAVIA

During the last few days dispatches
have come from the Scandinavian cap
itals indicating an apparent spread Of
what has come to be popularity known
as Boshevism.
In Copenhagen the so-called Syndi-
calists, a faction of the extreme Young
Socialists, have arranged riotous
demonstrations against the continued
Imprisonment of three conscientious
slackers"-men who refused to wear
the uniform of the Danish army be-
cause all kinds of militarism are alb
horrent to their anarchistic faith. As
the S~yndicalists are imposing in num-
beers more than in brains and influence
there is no reason to think that the
Danish government will yield to de-
mands for a relaxation of fully estab-
lished laws, and when it is recalled
that similar demonstrations during
the last half year or so have brought
about none of the reforms" desired,
the prospects for official c%ognizance of
the claims of an irresponsible element
are not very bright.
In Sweden the corresponding fac
ton, supported by an organ of its own,
has made demands for the over throw
of the royal government, and numer-
Gus demonstrations have taken place
throughout the country. The high de-
gree of intelligence prevailing among
the larger part Of the population is in
itself a guarantee that a revolution is
not coming at this time.
Conditions in Norway appear to be
less disturbed than they were last win
ter, and reports of extreme action by
the homegrown B%olshevists are be-
coming less frequent. There is how
ever, a strong demand for a firm atti-
tude on the part Of the government in
dealing with the German government
when the peace congress is to be held,
for Norway feels-quite justly-that
she has certain claims to present in
view Of the fact that her tonnage has
been a very material aid to the cause
of the Allies. The fact that 831 Nor
wegian vessels have been destroyed in
consequence Of German wantonness
and that 1,120 lives have been lost, in.
spires the popular mind with a desire
to obtain at least some form of resti-
tuition. It is not likely that the Nor
wegian government will require the
unpleasant stimulus of popular unrest
in order to act with firmness and d.
rectness.
During the wal the three Scandal
Wan countries have maintained their
neutrality in the fact of extreme diff
fculties, and there as in other coun-
tries there have been divisions " nnin-
ion, some people thinking that neu-
trality should be receded from, and the
majority that it would be useless and
suicidal to plunge the nations into a
war which. however ultimate results
it might bring them, would cause i'm
mediate suffering on a scale no less
than that known in Belgium.
Considering that there is such a d.
vergence of views, it is but natural to
expect some spasmodic disorders, but
it may be safely taken for granted
that they will have no serious conse-
quences because social and economic
conditions are SO well regulated that
any Bolshevik movement in advance is
doomed to failure. The momentary
unrest is just one of the numerous
phenomena Of that which prevails all
over the world, and whatever it may
look like no the surface, it is not to
be taken too seriously.