Evening star., 1921-05-12
REPORT ON ALANDS
BITTER TO SWEDEN
Abram EIkus, American Re.
porter, Gets Brunt Of Blame
for Decision.
BY HAL O'FLAHERTY.

By Cable to The Star and Chicago Daily News.
Copyright. 1871.
STOCKHOLM, Sweden. May Ito
say that the Swedish people are en-
bittered over the decision of the COM
missioners giving the Aland Islands
to Finland is putting the case mildly.
The text of the official report in which
the islanders are refused the right to
determine their own fate Is published
in the newspapers accompanied by ed
itorialS denouncing nearly every point
raised by the three reporters.
In the preamble the reporters de-
clare that the Aland Islands geo.
graphically form a continuation Of
the Finnish archipelago and are
equally important strategicafly to
both Sweden and Finland. In dis
cussing the matter of sovereignty the
reports conclude that Finland's right
to the islands is indisputable and that
separating them from Finland would
deprive her of legal property. Re
garding a plebiscite in the islands the
reporters deny the right OF any minor
ity to divorce itself from state to be
incorporated with another.
Contrary to View.
Every one of these decisions con-
tradicts the Swedish point OF view
and arouses intense resentment The
writer understands that the Swedish
government does not consider this
report as decisive factor in the
will. therefore, go before the council
of the league of nations and press
with all its energy the point Of view
which Sweden has hitherto maintain
ed. The Swedish government expects
that the league. which has as its CEN
tral idea the realization Of justice in
international life, will exact obe-
dience to the claim for justice put for
ward by the Inhabitants Of the
Alands and by Sweden.
1t is pointed out in official circles
that there is striking contrast be-
tween the report of the committee OF
jurists. which presents clear princi-
Piles from a legal point OF view. and
the present report, which. it is claim
ed, puts aside the rights of nation
alities and constitutes a mere oppor-
tunistic attempt to solve the question
by following the line OF least resist
ance.
Elkus Il Blamed.
Nearly every one with whom the
writer has discussed the matter today
blames the American reporter. Abram
Elkus, for the decision. In my dis
patches last fall when Mr. Elkus was
appointed, ! took occasion to call at
tention TO the practical certainty that
American participation in the dispute
would have just such consequences.
Under the heading, "A piteous docu-
ment." Stockholm's Tigingen writes:
Let it be said above all that IL this
proposal really gains the leagues ap-
proval the confidence in the will and
ability Of the league to assert right and
justice in the world will have received
deathblow so far as Sweden is con-
cerned. We refuse to believe that the
league council will accept it. From
beginning to end the reporters accepted
the Finnish point of view"
Ffnlanders with whom the writer has
talked are not altogether satisfied with
the report in detail, but generally ap-
prove the various decisions reached by
Mr. Elkus and his associates, declaring
that the reporters have taken a lofty
and judicial view Of Finland's claims
regarding the islands.