Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-02
Swedish Misgivings About Peace.

The league of nations has asked the
three Scandinavian countries each to
send a military contingent to wilma
to contribute to the watching over OF
the plebiscite which is about to take
place. The following article from the
Stockholm Tidning shows that this
request has caused some hesitation in
Sweden:
ITO speak of this question as a
sacrifice would have here the effect
of a parody. especially as no greater
contingent has been demanded from
Sweden than from Denmark or Nor
way, although one might easily have
demanded of Sweden twice as many
as from the other two countries. if the
idea had been to contribute proper
tionately. But it is not that really
that provokes uneasiness, but rather
the consequences which might arise
in the future from such an act. Next
time it might be the question of Ar
menia, for example. a distant and ex-
posed country, which it seems was
thought of at one time by the great
powers as mandate for Sweden.
What is desired, says one of our hon.
ored colleagues from the country. is
an inoffenSive start and already the
incalculable consequences of sending
a small number of troops to the Pol
Lithuanian frontier are being
feared.
such fears seem. however. very
Sweden nor any other nation, member
of the league, is Obliged in any way
to take upon itself this military re-
sponsibility. 1t is here not at all
question of anything foreseen or fixed
in the league. The military obliga-
~ su.l. hA inn al nFe1
us are only in the case of state
declaring war in spite of the arbitra-
ton of the league at the root OF
this question which has been raised
there is the principle OF nationali-
ties, principle which ought to de-
eide the connecting up of territory
with one or the other of the two con-
ficting states. This principle is no
part of the league. but it has been.
so to say, recognized by the fact of
the conclusion of peace and the foun-
dation of the league of nations. 1t
council of the league. in this case.
should have proposed a plebiscite
which is to decide whether the ter
ritory of wilma ia to belong to Lith-
uania or to Poland. 1t is equally nat
ural that the Scandinavian countries.
more deeply rooted than anywhere
else. should agree to this insignif-
can't collaboration which is required
Of them for the keeping of order and
for the defense of legitimate interests
in case where this principle is to
be realized by the care of the league
of nations. These events are happen
ing SO near to the Baltic and our
coast that it would be impossible to
think of our interests as being I'M
affected.
at may be considered certain that
the three Scandinavian countries will
act here together. The conditions
under which the expedition Is to take
place must, of course, be determined.
On no condition should the Scandi-
nayfan troops be used for any other
reason than that indicated. once
these conditions are clearly estaoiish-
ed there must be no more hesitation
about knowing whether We are right
in complying with the request of the
council of the league Of nations con-
cerning the sending of troops
1--WE shall not have taken upon our
selves any obligations for the future.
because we consented to do what was
a sked of US. Our liberty In estimat-
ing such propositions as might hap
pen eventually remains the same as
before. If, against all expectation, We
should find ourselves in such a situa-
ton that we should be forced to per-
form similar duty. 1t would not be
a consequence Of this act. but rather
q duty Of solidarity which A-incandeA