Evening star., 1942-06-28
Sweden Strives
For Peace
Bu Frederic J. Haskin.

number of American soldiers abroad.
possibly no unmolested country holds a
closer relationship to the United States
than does Sweden. There are many rea-
sons for this.
Sweden was first of the neutral Euro
pean countries to recognize the inde-
pendence of the United States, also the
first nation to conclude treaty with
this country. In 1888, Benjamin Frank
lin, printer extraordinary, weather proph-
ct, negotiator and diplomat, negotiated
treaty of peace, amity and commerce"
with Sweden, and this treaty became the
model for subsequent commercial ac-
cords. That historic document contains
the origin of the phrase. "the most ia
vored nation as it refers to the United
States.
But while Franklin was a genius in
making mutually beneficial treaties with
other countries, in the case of Sweden it
was not a difficult task because of the
well-laid foundation of good will between
the two countries. During the American
Revolution Sweden, while technically
neutral nevertheless was friendly to the
American cause. even to the extent that
a number Of brilliant Swedish officers
took part in that memorable struggle.
One evidence of this mutual relation
and common understanding between the
United States and Sweden is the number
of Swedes living in the United States. In
1888 when New Sweden was set up as a
colony on the banks of the Christina
River tributary of the Delaware, and a
small fort built on what is today the
water front of Wilmington, Del, the
primary purpose was to obtain for
Sweden a share in the West Indian trade
and not to gain official foothold in
new land. Although the colony MAIN
tanned its independence for only II years,
the influence of Sweden in the United
States has been increasingly important
for 300 years. There are more than l.
100000 first and second generation
Swedes in this country. and Chicago
has so many that it is rated as the
third largest Swedish city in the world.
The Swedish government, a limited
monarchy, actually is one of the most
iCulOSI dLII Ill OpC dlIN lCS POL4btSol'
social and economic program has so
paraleled that of the United States that
the two countries have always enjoyed
the most cordial relations. A high light
of this friendly relationship was the
issuing in May 1888, by the Post Office
Department of a commemorative stamp
honoring the tercentenary of the landing
of the Swedes in this country. On that
occasion, too, Sweden's Crown Prince
and Crown Princess and other Swedish
dgnitaries were given a most cordial
welcome by many American cities, in
cluding Washington.
Through the years there has been
mutually profitable interchange Of COM
merce and talent between the two coun-
tries. For instance. the name of Jenny
Lind was so well known to opera goers
of few decades ago that the famous
singer still often is referred to as an
American 1t was Jenny Lind who was
one of the honored guests at reception
given John Howard Payne in Washing
ton before he sailed for Tunis, Africa, as
United States consul.
This country's immediate interest in
Sweden. however, takes on new and
deeper aspect Completely fanked on
one side by a German seized country,
Norway. hemmed in by the double block
ade of two belligerents, and shut Off
from normal exit to the west. Sweden's
position is not comfortable one. The
whole world, particularly the United
States, is watching the future Of this
Baltic nation which embraces an area Of
approximately 10000 square miles and
has a population of some 6.50000o in
habitants This watchfulness becomes
more intense because SWeden'S trade
relations with neighbors far and near
have been disrupted almost to the point
of complete isolation. The life of Sweden
is largely dependent upon exports.
Sweden's position is not only an un-
happy one but the course it has been
forced to pursue during the past three
years has not been an easy road to travel.
That road, having within its reaches the
triple purpose of keeping out of war.
protecting the country's independence.
and preserving its freedom has made the
tasks of statesmen from King to COM
moner most difficult Yet Sweden has
steered a definite, courageous and COM
mendable course, and so far as known,
has not gained the i'll will of any nation,
in Europe or elsewhere. Certainly the
United States appreciates Sweden's
foreign policy-a policy of maintaining
friendly relations with all powers.
All this, however. does not sum up
to any impending breakdown of the
Swedish economy, neither is it an in
dication that Sweden is not willing
case in both instances. With the excep-
ton of about 10000 people. all the in
haDitants of Sweden belong to the same
race and they are almost of one religion.
With this homogeneity, political differ
ences are minor, and in addition the
Swedes are among the most frugal people
in the world, CHASING work as sort OF
second religion and outstanding their
resources as a moral commandment. On
the defense side, the Swedes have
fighting record most unusual for a peo-
pie now so completely neutral. In times
past the Swedes successfully have fought
Denmark, Norway, Russia and France,
Germany and Poland. Sweden was at
one time considered leading military
power of Europe. The lesson might we'll
be that if one nation with such tre-
mendous military and naval tradition
f,,r, fo ~ othAr