Scandinavian American. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1945-1958, 1949-02-01

Minister Harvard M. Lange's
speech in the Norwegian Storting
OF February 8. In that speech MI.
Lange stated that there were pre-
sumably only slim chances of
satisfactory solution of the ques
ton of supplies unless one was
ready to discuss political security.
Against this view is the Swedish
wish for detached union, formal
ly and in reality independent of
other power blocs.
The view is widely held in the
North that there is danger Of
Wcrsening the international situa-
ton if the Nordic pact be not an
independent one but is supplement-
ed by guarantees and agreements
with others, while an alliance-free
union could contribute to a relax
alton of tension and to peace.
The Danish view, he said, is this,
that one must investigate first
what, within a reasonable time and
on reasonable terms, are the pos
sibilities of obtaining arms and
deliveries without assuming politi
cally doubtful obligations towards
other powers.
1t is natural that Denmark
should mediate between Norway
and Sweden. Danish opinion holds
that only an alliance-free, mutually
Binding Scandinavian defense I'M
ion, which could be sure of obtain
ing the necessary supplies from the
outside-in reality from the West
is the best solution of the Nordic
security problems and, moreover, a
natural link in a constructive
peace policy contributing to a re-
taxation of tension of the general
situation.
The Minister went on to say
that it was not useless to seek
arms for such a union from the
United States, Notwithstanding
American statements. Fer, he
said, it is not until now-after the
Oslo meeting-that we are begin
ming to present our points of view
and to explain the altogether new
situation, namely that the Scan
dinavian countries are ready to
conclude joint agreement that they
will fight armed attack on one or
several of these countries and in
this manner join in the defense OF
the ideals of the democratic world
of liberty and justice.
Scandinavia as peace factor is
not without Importance. We can
rightfully ask: Are not the posi-
blities of reaching our common
aim namely safeguarding the
peace-the greatest when a united
Scandinavia is determined jointly,
and with the material aid which is
obtainable from the outside, to de
fend itself in the event of attack?
Or does it better profit the cause
of peace that the Scandinavian
countries are split and partly dis
armed? Those are real consider
atoms which can be presented
with weight and will be presented
by our Ambassadors.
Sweden's Proposal For
Scandinavian Pact
James Reston in his despatch
from Washington to the New York
Times for February g. after re-
viewing what is understood to be
the point of view of the Norwegian
delegation. goes on to say:
Meanwhile, perhaps as a result
of the inability of the United
States to give Norway any flat
security guarantees, Swedens pro-
posal for a Scandinavian pact, free
of association with the countries
discussing the Atlantic pact, IS
returning to the forefront.
"The terms of that Swedish Of
fer are now available here in Of
fetal quarters. 1t would end Swe-
denis traditional neutrality 1t
would bind Sweden. Norway and
Denmark to consider an attack on
any one of them as an attack on
all 1t would obligate each of them
to undertake Immediately to come
to the assistance of the party di-
rectly attacked.