Evening star., 1942-08-05
Swedish Neutrality


the distinction of being a thorough
going neutral in war-torn Europe.
Neither country covets any foreign
territory nor has anything material
to gain by entering the world con-
flict. But both countries are resolved
to maintain their basic independence
and national dignity, and have re-
acted energetically against encroach-
ments upon their neutral rights by
either side.
While Sweden has thus far main
tanned her neutral status without too
great difficulties, it is contingently
more liable to be menaced than that
Of Switzerland. The Swiss Fedora
ton plays an international role that
is useful to both sets of belligerents.
Sweden occupies no such pivotal po-
sition as clearing house for wartime
exchanges and contacts 1t must
therefore depend more fully upon
the skill OF its diplomacy and the
strength of its ornaments
Fortunately, Sweden is we'll pre-
pared in both respects. It's firm yet
tactful foreign policy is backed by
the support of its intelligent, level
headed people, while the Swedish
Army, modified to 100000 and ex-
cellently equipped from it's own top
notch munitions factories, is a de-
terrent to would-be violators of it's
neutrality which becomes more ef-
fective as the European belligerents
are depleted in manpoWer and re-
sources Sweden is a relatively small
power, with about the same area and
population as California. But it con-
tainS natural resources which give it
the sinews of war, especially its high
grade iron mines, its advanced heavy
industry, and It's abundant water
power. With frugal planning,
Sweden can feed itself. It's chief
handicap is lack of coal, for which
electric current and wood from its
extensive forests are not adequate
substitutes.
Lack of coal is one of the reasons
why Sweden is economically depend
ent upon Germany in the present
wartime period. Ever since the Ger
man occupation Of Denmark and
Norway in the spring of 1910, Sweden
has been almost completely cut off
from the rest of the world, and must
do business with the Axis if 1t is to
have any foreign trade. Germany
has used this economic dependence
as lever to extort concessions, and
it speaks we'll for Swedish diplomacy
that these have been kept within
narrow bounds.
There can be no doubt that the
sympathies of the Swedish people
incline toward the United Nations.
The German conquest of unoffending
Norway and subsequent Nazi brutali-
ties in that unhappy land just over
the frontier have filled most Swedes
with aversion toward the Third Reich
and with apprehension Of what an
Axis victory would entail. The ira
ditional fear of Russia is, of course
basically unchanged; but it has beer
somewhat thrust into the back
ground by the spectre of German
aggression.
The chief danger to Swedish neu-
trality would arise If the United
Nations should open second front
by an invasion OF Northern Norway
There is no adequate land communi.
cation between that far northern re.
gion and the rest of Norway. Ths
best land route for reinforcing tht
German garrisons in Northern Nor
way is over Swedish territory. Thus
it is certain that Germany woult
put tremendous pressure on Swedel
to grant it rights of transit, which
would, Of course, be clearly unneutra
conduct. The supreme test o
Sweden's foreign policy would thel
arise.