The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-02-27
SCANDINAVIA HARD PRESSED.
MINISTER TO DENMARK TELLS
OF PLIGHT.
Norway, Denmark and Sweden Forced
to Continue Neutrality Although
Suffering by so Doing.

New York, Feb. 21.-Dr. Maurice
F.. Egan, United States minister to
Denmark. today addressed the Amer
lean Academy of Arts and Letters on
the position of the Scandinavian ma
tions in the world war. DIR. Egan
recently returned to the United States
to recuperate from the effects of a
long illness.
DIR. Egan said that from the be-
ginning Of the war Sweden, Norway
and Denmark had maintained neu-
trality under extreme difficulties. Af-
ter having spent ten years on the Ger
man frontier. he could see how Amer
lea had misunderstood the views and
hopes of these nations. America, he
declared, was big free country. apart
from any other, and with it's own in
stitutions and the power to maintain
them. while the three small Scandi-
navian nations have lived and are
living under the constant shadow of a
ruthless colossus.
While the scandinavian nations
are closely allied by blood. DR.. Egan
continued. they have widely divergent
ideals. Sweden is the least demo-
cratic nation of the three.
Sweden. he added. always has been
inclined to be pro-German: Norway
always has been anti-German. Nor
way loves England and is very friend.
ly to America.
King Oscar made a grave mis-
take at the time of the break" DR..
Egan continued. "He stuck to the
old aristocratic rule by the overlords
All this time Denmark was under
constant fear Of the same fate as that
which overlook Serbia. But If Ger
many had assailed Denmark, Russia
would have swooped down on Sweden.
That fear on Sweden's part is gone,
but Denmark is still under the old
menace.
when the war opened the three
nations were at heart opposed to
each other. The quarrel was ancient
and hereditary. There was no chance
OF any Scandinavian federation un-
til the United States entered the war.
Sweden no longer was menaced by
Russia. Norway was strong and indie
no
Denmark was almost ready to ac-
cede to Germany's terms.
Before the war Denmark's best
customer was England. But she ex-
ported much of her foodstuffs to Ger
many, as well. Germany lately has
been sending her coal and potatoes
to Denmark and saying "in spite OF
our impoverishment. we send you
what we can, while the allies, includ-
ing the great wealthy. strong Amer
lea, are trying to starve you
Mr.. Egan warned his hearers that
the wealth, culture and efficiency OF
the United States have been so ex-
plotted i'm Europe that it was difficult
TO make the small Scandinavian ma
tions understand her purpose in GO
ing into the war. The severe embar-
go. he added, has made Scandinavia
suffer acutely and the blockade, pre-
venting the three countries from trad.
ing with belligerents, has astonished
them.
The speaker said that i'm 1864
when Denmark was struggling against
Prussia and Austria, President Lin.
coin asked Denmark, then with a
goodly fleet, not to interrupt German
ships proceeding with cargoes for the
United States. This request was ac-
ceded to, he added, and Denmark to.
day did not quite understand why she
might not receive similar treatment.
The minister concluded by saying
that propaganda now was being
spread that he believed would dc
much to remove the growing GOODNESS
towards America in Scandinavia.