Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-06-09

that the intricate Aaland problem be
definitely settled so that this group
Of islands in the Baltic Sea becomes
part Of Sweden. Certain historical
rights are referred to, and the fact
that the majority Of the population on
the islands is Of swedish descent and
speaks the Swedish. language, u mon
Formerly opposition to 4 transfer
Of the Aaiand islands would have to
come from Russia because the ielands
were Of ever greater strategic value
to thai empire than F5eiEoland has
been to the North Sea. But Russia
il silent now-at least, has no foreign
affairs to bother about, so it is be-
lieved that Sweden's demands will be
acceded to although there 10 the pos
sibility that the islands may become
in independent part Of the League Of
Nations under Swedish sovereignty.
Denmark to Get Saesv1s.
AS far as Denmark ID concerned,
142 steamers and II sailing ships.
totalling a tonnage Of 243,76b, have
been destroyed in consequence Of acts
of war upon the high seas. Denmark
asks compensation for this. but the
matter is a little more complicated
than in the case of the two other
"a wv " VI SAAS
Slesvig problem. ~ - ,tGv
The summary Of the peace terms.
handed to Germany on May 7, stipu-
lated that the old Danish province OF
Slesvig, conquered by Prussia and
Austria in 1864. would be asked to In
dictate through a plebiscite in three
zones whether or not 1t wanted/to re-
turn to Denmark or to remain with
Germany. There is-and has never
hAa~-oH,, AA,shf that thA sAasS1t ~
the plebiscites will be highly crafty.
ing to Denmark, but when slesvig
again becomes q part Of the Danish
monarchy, some diplomats in Paris
declare that the government and poo
pie, Of Denmark forfeit the rtght TO
ask for compensation for shipping,
May Assume Some Indemnity.
Indications also are that the in
demnity UNI which Germany will be
compelled to remit, may be partiei-
pated in by Slesvig ven II that pro-
vince returns to Denmark-in other
words, that Denmark actually may
have to shoulder a part of the imam
cial responsibilities of the German
republic.
by not only neutral diplomats. but
also by some Of the leading delegates
from the great powers represented in
Paris. who reason that the,
country should not be psnalized.
for getting back what 1t Is historical,
ly and legally entitled. to. I
In this particular matter, there are
yet, it seems, so many difficulties In
volved that it is impossible 10 foresea
the final result with the one exception.
that, the larger part Of slesvig will be
again a part of Denmark within q,
few weeks.
Scandinavian newspapers and let-
ters report a strong sentiment In ia,
vor of the League of Nations, but,
complain that although the govern-i
ments were invited to present suggessi
tions for certain phases Of the League
no attention whatsoever was paid to-
them. 4,
During the last few days the fear
has become apparent that scandtha-.
Was joining the League Of Nations,
may have to mean the dissolution Of
the Informal league existing. among.
the three Northern countries; that H.,
at least, one surnise emanating from
diplomatic SOURCES in France, and Vt
has given cause to much worry VI
Scandinavia.
At the present time, all the issues
before the peace congress may actu-
information In thsf respect has not
yet been given out. Perhaps all
clouds will clear away when the Anal
announcement IL made: that appears
to be the prevailing opinion in Scan
dtnavta and in. consequence Of 1t COM
ments have been rather scarce for
some time past.