Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-03-03
BY CHARLES M. PEPPER.

~ WEDEN is again under the shadow
~ of German domination. The Teu-
NJ tonic offensive along the Baltic
~ in Russia is now the cause of
anxiety. If the German military and
political plans are carried to their con-
clusion, due to the inability of an
archie Russia to resist, Sweden's status
will be changed.
For years it was the Russia across the
Baltic that Sweden had cause to fear.
Henceforth it may be Germany at Riga
and in control of Estho1ia, Livonia and
Courland. This is the basis of the re-
newed talk of the Baltic empire under
Teutonic control. When hostilities
broke out the talk was of a Baltic
empire under the federation both of
as a buffer against the other. All of
Scandinavia was concerned in this plan,
but Denmark and Norway not SO vitality
as Sweden.
Five months after the war opened
a conference of the ruling sovereigns
of Sweden, Norway and Denmark was
held at Malmo, in Sweden. 1t was known
as the meeting of the three kings,
although the kings wereacompanied by
their cabinet ministers. The Malmo
conference reached an understanding
for the PRESERVATION of Scandinavian
neutrality during the war. No political
alliance was formed in the sense of
uniting the Scandinavian countries as
one power, but steps were taken to
maintain their neutral position. 1t was
declared that closer industrial and COM
mercial connection was feasible and
this was to be one means of maintain
ing neutrality.
All the Scandinavian countries had
various products which were wanted
by both sets of belligerents, and the
sale of these products, if it could be
maintained uninterruptedly, was GER
tain to be profitable. At that period
none of them looked forward to
shortage of it's own food supplies. All
of them had shipping, as well as COM
modities, and this also was a great
source of profit. But there was the
apprehension that their neutrality
might be violated and one or all of
them be subject to attack. Sweden
especially was exposed to this posi-
bility.
b At the time intima lions were made
that before the three kings met visits
had been exchanged between Stock
holm and Berlin. and that Germany.
Notwithstanding that she was consid~
cred as possible aggressor. really in
spired the pact. Russia on her part
was then advancing into eastern Prus-
STA, and for strategic reasons it was
assumed that she might want Sweden
as a base.
Sweden had reason to fear Russia.
More than a century before Finland
had been violently wrenched from her
by Russia, and the apprehension al
ways existed that when the time was
ripe Russia would take Sweden her
self That might have been possible
had not the great war involved Rus
STA as an ally instead of as a sole bel
Hgerent.
Germany worked on this fear of Rus
STA and indirectly encouraged the ex-
pectation of Sweden being allowed to
control the eastern shores of the Bal
TIC which once were hers. Such a plan
may have been in the German mind at
of Russia was not foreseen. and it was
not foreseen, either, that German
propaganda would so demoralize Rus
STA that there would be no army and
navy to resist the occupation of Riga
and all the miscalled German provinces
of the Baltic.
The situation today is entirely differ
emit. Instead of holding out Esthonia,
Livonia and Courland as bait for
Sweden and the basis Of new Baltic
empire. Germany proposes to make
them the base of the expanded German