Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-06-09
~1By G.. S. ~Strandvold.)

here concerning the attitude of the
three Scandinavian countries toward
the peace negotiations In Paris, until
early last week when the Norwegian
government announced that 1t would
refrain from taking part in Any olocK-
ade that may be aimed against Ger
many in case that country refuses 10
sign the peace treaty terms drawn up
by the allied and associated covers.
A few days later Denmark swea.
en- made a similar announcement
which1was also followed by a similar
declaration by the Swiss government.
only one reason for taking this
step is given, viz, that PARTICIPATION
in the blockade would constitute q
breach of neutrality.
NO information has been received
as to what effect the announcements
have had In Paris, but 1t seems plaus-
ible to think that even though the al.
lies may recognize the legal n
moral soundness of the argument
made by the n%eutrals, they will dis
cover a way in which to enforce the
blockade measures, and undoubtedly
they will resort to the we'll tested
methods of the export embargo which
worked such unlimited hardships on
all neutral countries during the
period Of actual lighting.
In other words, IL the neutrals will
not join n blockade movement
against Germany, they may them
selves be submitted to all. the risors
Of a blockade. .
Are Against Coercion.
The Scandinavian countries have
repeatedly shown the ~belligerents that
they have no disposition to, acquiesce
in any measures of attempted +.coer-
cion. and that they will suffer any
consequences rather than deviate
from what they consider the paths Of
fairness and justice. -
1t Is known that efforts have been
made to persuade the Northern king
dotns to adopt certain viewpoint.
popular with both groups OF belliger.
~ Of Scandinavia has been exposed
to strong dangers, but 1t has never
been abandoned, and there is just
nbw a tendency to agree that Scandi-
navia acted correctly in consistently
refusing to recede from the strictly
neutral attitude.
At the beginning of this year much
dissatisfaction was voiced in the three
Northern countries because 1t looked
a. though their claims would be en-
1tirely ignored in Paris; that impress
sion was, however, Of only brief dur
alton, and when the governments at
Copenhagen. Stockholm and Christi,
ania were invited to send commission
ers to the peace conference to present
their claims. 1t was felt that some
good might come Of it, after all.
What Norway Wants.
Press dispatches have carried the
information that Norway asks fifty
million dollars in compensation for
the shipping losses inflicted upon her
during the war by German submar-
ines. She has lost altogether 617
STEAMERS Of q total tonnage Of 1.016,-
I 1ss.647 tons. Her loss in life cannot
Of course (be computed in terms OF
dollars and cents, and no such at.
tempt has been made.
Norway. incidentally, also makes
demands for certain sums alleged
due her for ships which were being
constructed in this country and taken
over by the American government
for war purposes; this is a matter to
be settled between Washington and
Christiania,, but has been referred ia
several times duying the negotiations
at Paris. 1t is understood that a part
settlement has been made quite re-
Gently.
To what extent the matter of spits-
bergen will be determined, is un-
known. Norway insists that Splits
bergen by right is Norwegian terri.
tory although 1t has been customary
TOR centuries to consider it "No Mans
Land" England is stongly opposed
TO the Norwegian Spitsbergen claims
because Of the vast industrial posi-
bilities of the islands.
Sweden Wants Aaland.
sweden's delegates at Paris also
appear with a bill Of claims. They
ask for compensation for 80 steamers
and 30 sailing vessels t%orpsdoedf OF
sunk BY contact with mines during
the war, and. In addition. demanded