The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1938-07-08
TREND OF WORLD AFFAIRS
Prepared by
Lucy Meacham Thruston

And you're really going to Eu-
rope this summer? Going to the land
of the midnight sun? Better call it
the land of the smiling faces"
Smiling faces! Because the people
have learned to get along together
to get along with other nations, to
keep out of war, to use their riches
for the good of its people. Sweden
has had no war in 125 years, the last
being the Napoleanic wars. Denmark
has had no war for rs years, the last
being war with Germany and Austria
in which she lost a third of her ter
ritory, by surrendering Sleswig and
Holstein to Germany. The northern
mark by the Versailles Treaty, but
Denmark herself has made no effort
to retrieve her lost provinces, her
slogan being "What is lost is lost"
and working out new slogan, Gain
inside what is lost outside"
Scandinavia has had many ques-
lions to settle, but she has settled
them all peaceably. One of the major
of these questions was the separa-
ton of Norway from Sweden. The
leaders of these nations met and
talked things over, and in 1905 Nor
way was given the right to secede.
Up to 1914 Norway and Denmark
formed one kingdom which claimed
Greenland When Norway left Den
mark and united with Sweden,
Greenland remained with Denmark
Later on Norway put in claim for
Greenland, the matter was put up
to the Hague Court which decided in
favor of Denmark This decision was
accepted.
Denmark had also claimed
Iceland In 1908 Iceland asked for
independence. 1t was granted and
Iceland today is an independent
country. There were other important
issues between Sweden and Finland
between parts of the Scandinavia
countries When asked about these
peaceful settlements and about their
peace mentality which enabled them
to escape the World War, one of
their statesmen gave reply of
which this is the gist: We in north
Europe feel that we have abolished
war from our midst, because we are
what might be called adult nations
We have reached the grown up stage
ahead Of other countries. With ma
lions, as with individuals, physical
encounter is a symbol of childish
ness and impetuosity. We deny to
statesmen the right to exterminate
the populations of entire cities and
even countries, to destroy the basic
wealth of such countries by destroy
ing their industries. There are more
human ways (more profitable ways)
in which to settle International con-
fiicts.
By keeping clear of the World
War Scandinavian countries saved
war expenses, destruction and waste;
were faced with no war indemnities
had no war widows nor invalids to
support or rehabilitate. Instead CT
such obligation they have been able
to establish system of welfare in
situations (social and health) which
it would take pages of describe
Public Works have been constructed
Bridges have been built, railroads
electrified, good roads built
Recently Sweden has established a
net work of rural and urban coopera-
tives This Union caters to the needs
of 568,000 families, builds homes
for them, raises food. $4,000 houses
have been built, apartments, rents
reduced, while the Cooperative Pub
fishing House is the largest book
publishing house in Sweden
These are some of the living con-
ditions which make Scandinavia the
land of smiling faces, versus the
tense and nervous unhappy ones of
central Europe. The world has long
waited for the dawn of the day of
peace. Its sun rises not IN THE
NORTH.