Evening star., 1919-09-18
EXPECTED TO Join
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
Speakers at Meeting Believe
Norway, Sweden and Den-
mark Will Accept Covenant.
nv ELLA ANKER-

BY ELLA ANhEH,
By cable to The Star and the Chicago
Daily News. Copyright, 1919.
| LONDON, England. September Is
Pro-Germans have raised a vigorous
campaign in Norway. Sweden and
Denmark to prevent these nations
from joining the league of nations.
| but it is considered certain that each
of joining within the next few weeks.
An important conference between
members Of parliament OF tho three
countries was held recently in Stock
holm and was attended by Norwegian
| and Danish ministers. Speakers Of
all shades of political opinion ex-
pressed themselves as being Of the
| opinion that the states they repre-
sented would join the league. which
| they held to be the greatest effort
ever made to abolish war.
Speakers Waive Objections.
Though strong criticisms were made
of various parts Of the covenant all
the speakers realized that the plan
| was a long step in advance and that
it was the duty Of civilized states to
rise to q big occasion and carry out
| the main idea, making needed amend
ments later. Baron Adelsvard, speak.
| er Of the Swedish parliament, pointed
| out that the immediate tasks before
| the league were the establishment Of
| an international tribunal In judicial
matters, the Limitation OF armam ents
and the inclusion OF all civilized states
| in the league. The true test Of paci-
ffsm, he said. now was action. as the
time for words had passed.
| DR.. Hildebrand. a Swede. complained
of the privileged position of America
in the league. He said the United
States had no right to intervene in
| European matters while the Monroe
doctrine prevented Europe from inter-
vening in American matters. A DAN
ish member suggested that the north
ern kingdoms should work to obtain
}neutrality such as that enjoyed by
Switzerland and to be free from mil
itary obligations.
Calls Deficiencies "Minor Matters" ="
Hjalmar Branting, the associate
leader, in a powerful speech maintained
that the deficiencies Of the league
were a minor matter. and that in his
opinion the world had been given an
instrument for peace II there was a
spirit and Will Tor peace. No country.
he said, could stand Isolated and shirk
its obligations. Solidarity of all was the
ba1is Of the league. The small countries,
he thought, should not by their neutral
Ily pl0Co StGHl6oAV0D Vut3Au0 tkAAD III
fiuence on human destiny. It was easy
to criticise, but greater and wiser to
Join and help in faith and will The
only reason for not Joining would be
the abstention Of America, but the great
idea Of the league was 50 nrnly con-
that disavowment BY America was un-
thinkable.
Peter Munich. the Danish minister Of
defense, said that reduction Of Ger
t.
ton all around. and that this reduction
gave Germany economic advantages
which other nations could not afford to
overlook. Mr.. Munich wanted permanent
Danish neutrality free, not only Of mill
tary but ecOlemic obligations.
View sf Labor Democrat
JohAn sGaifberg. labor democrat and
speaker q the Norwegian honse Of
Germany was an important factor and
that the northern kingdoms should now
take the lead by reducing ornaments
on . large scale. He. supported Mr..
Brantings contention that small states
could not be neutral In the old sense.
ity for their own security and for the
peace Of the world. War. he said. was
more destructive for the small than
for the largo nations. but the covenant
had gone fAf to meet the wishes OF the
small states by allowing them to be free
of military action at will.
Swedish Danish idea Buried.
The Swedish Danish idea Of the north
erff kingdoms forming q Scandinavian
group within the league, which met with
strong opposition in Norway was finally
buried at this meeting. The Norwegian
minister Of education. Jorgen Lovland,
maintained that the three countries
should consult each other as to their
foreign policies and Keep in contact with
each other. but that each state should
keep its full freedom in accordance With
its interests He said that Norway would
Eventually Join the league Independently
and separately.
| BY q unanimous vote the meeting
adopted = rtsolution to support the
lleASue Of nationA