Evening star., 1949-03-06

ton" to scof at neutrality as a
, self -deluding and thoroughly dis
credited doctrine in the modern
world, and to voice the strong
hope that Norway's and Den
marks examples will in due
course impel the lone-wolf Swedes
to 60 and 90 likewise.
4 This Swedish opposition to the
official view-an opposition sig
nificantly including some OF the
military-makes the same arSu-
ment as that made by most Nor
wegians and Danes. The argu-
ment's main points may be sum-
married as follows:
Il |. Historically, economically,
iideologically, morally and other
wise, Sweden should feel COM
pulsion to stand openly and un-
equivocally with the West.
2. AS an arrangement divorced
from the Atlantic pact, Scandl-
navian alliance would be inef-
fective to the point of absurdity.
8. Although by far the strongest
of the three, Sweden, acting alone,
could do little or nothing to help
Denmark or Norway in case OF at
tack.
4. The Swedes, like the Danes
and Norwegians, are in need OF
armaments help from the United
States, but they have no right to
expect it if they refuse to commit
themselves specifically to a COM
mon front with the West.
5. Since it is to the advantage
of the Russians to maintain the
present status in Finland, it is ex-
aggerated on Sweden's part to fear
that it's adherence to the Atlantic
pact would provoke them to move
in on the Firms.
6. The simple overriding fact in
this day and age is that neutrality
can be nothing but a naive dream
whenever or wherever it gets in
the way of an aggressor.
Bloc Thesis Discounted
In connection with the last
point, Scandinavians in favor OF
the Atlantic pact smile wryly at
the thesis-as set forth by some
commentators in America and
elsewhere-that the formation of
"a neutral Danish Norwegian
Swedish bloc might somehow have
a. calming effect on Europe's S
angry waters simply by maintain
ing an. isolated and aloof position
between East and West. AS peo-
pie who live close to the problem,
they hold that Scandinavia
especially in terms of air power
and submarine operations too
strategic an area to be allowed
the opportunity of enjoying such
role should current tensions
grow much worse and war clouds
gather. Beyond that, in their
opinion, economics and common
faith in democracy make it i'm
possible for Denmark, Norway and
Sweden to set themselves apart
from the free world. Finally, ac-
cording to this view, no matter
7. what the three countries may do
with or without alliances-the
Russians will act as they see fit,
but the chances are that the crea-
ton of a firm Western grouping
! including Scandinavia, will tend
to deter them from aggressive
acts, whereas mere declarations of
: neutrality will tend rather to do
the opposite.
1t is largely on the strength OF
: such points that Norway. while not
formally committing itself as yet
has made clear it's affirmative at
titude toward the Atlantic pact
AS Foreign Minister Lange told
his American press visitors in
Oslo, his recent talks in Wash
ington were reassuring. Despite
reports to the contrary, he said,
he did not return home empty
handed and doWnhearted; he re-
turned home quite satisfied with
the answers he received to his
questions. And that they must
have been persuasive answers
seems plainly indicated by the line
the Norwegians have since taken.
At any rate. in Mr.. Lange's
: words, his government is con-
! vinced today that a Scandina-
. Wan union, standing by itself
would be woefully Ineffective, and
, Norway-having in mind its ocean
position, it's far-northern frontier
with Russia and the rejected but
still disquieting Soviet proposal
for nonaggression treaty
: therefore feels that the best way
to prevent war, or reduce the dan
ger of war. is for friends to stick
together, not just three small
S friends in a corner of Europe. but
all the democratic friends of the
r Western world, working as one
: for mutual security in a great bloc
:. equipped with power far outweigh
ing that of the world behind the
iron curtain.
, Denmark Sees Value
The same line Of argument ac-
counts for the fact that Denmark
which has blown hot and cold on
the issue because Of being prac-
tically within shouting distance of
the Russians in Germany, has at
last made UP its mind to follow
Norway's lead, though it's past
views have been nearer those of
Sweden and though there is some
fear in Copenhagen that the
: Kremlin may counter with a pro-
posal for a nonaggression treaty
or perhaps even with a request
. for bases on Danish soil. AS for
the Swedes, now that they stand
alone in Scandinavia after failing
to win over the Danes and the
Norwegians to an aloof military
union. they are bound to find their
position increasingly uncomfort-