The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-11-28

Early in November the Monitor
announced in a front page dispatch
from Stockholm that the Swedish
Minister Of Foreign Affairs, Carr
Hederstjerna, had announced himself
favorable to an alliance with Fin
land--a striking piece OF news. Since
the most probable threat to Sweden,
he had said. was still to be feared
from Russia, he felt it would be-
easier to defend the country along
the Finnish border than on the Swed-
ish territory. In other words. Swe-
den would undertake to back up flu
ture Finnish independence as bull
wark for itself against Russia. This
bold declaration has caused such
storm of criticism and such sharp
newspaper attacks that recently Min
lister Hederstjsrna offered his resig-
nation to the King upon the latter's
return from his sons wedding in
London. The new Minister of For
eign Affairs is Baron E. T. Marks
Won Wurtemburg, iOrmer chief judge
of the supreme court and once the
countrys representative in the
League of Nations. The appointment
of such a high functionary, q special
ist in international law rather than
political figure, is likely to calm
the storm.
This retirement should not be UNI
derstood as an expression of Swedish
hostility to Finland. The relations
Of the two countries are extremely
cordial. The Aaland affair seems
largely forgotten. But whether the
two countries should form AN aili-
| ancc is another matter, one Of politi
cal expediency and international pol
icy. Local party politics has played
part. In Sweden there are, as in
England, three main parties-the
Conservatives, the Liberals, and the
| Socialists. ,.eEt.f
Furthermoe, Sweden has been by
tradition as disinclined to foreign
alliances as the United States. Since
the dissolution Of the century old
union with Norway in 1905, the coun-
try has pursued its own way. Dur
ing the war it made some approaches
to both Norway and Denmark for
mutual protection, but since the
armistice this contact has not been
kept up Even when Finland asked
for aid to recover its independence
from Russia, the Liberal and Social
list government in Sweden turned an
unhearing ear. The "activist" Con-
servatists then clamored for action
as they had earlier in favor Of Ger
many.
That some definite foreign policy
must be adopted by the country all
parties realize. An extra session Of
the Riksdag is to deal this fall with
the problem of army reorganization
The Socialists have proposed radical
cuts in the army; the Liberals &c
less far, and the Conservatives, in
conjunction with the army stan, OPP
!. pose any serious reduction. Before
this question can be settled, de-
cision must be reached as to genera
orientation in foreign relations. TIL
parties of the Left have led the coun
try with eagerness into the Leagu
Of Nations, hoping for genera
peace policy, while the Conservatives
skeptical Of the League, still favo
&. the old system Of particular alliances
: If Sweden were to decide to defen'
!, Finland against Russia, it woui
have to arm more heavily that if
) should continue to place is faith il
. the League The Greek experienc
with the League this fall ha
strengthened the Conservative thesis
but, though somewhat discouraged
S the parties of the Left still hav
, hope. @"I do not doubt" said ex
:, Premier Branting on his return fror
Geneva, "that in spite of everythin
the League will grow until it become
strong. Science Monitor