COLLABORATION VITAL IN FUTURE RELATIONS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23977, 18 June 1943, Page 4

COLLABORATION VITAL IN FUTURE RELATIONS

SCANDINAVIA

(By '‘TTA**-* 8 S. eftAWCE. Wrtifd Editor erf the "Christian Science MOtiitor.")

STOCKHOLM. just draw a mapmaker’t ime round the Scandinavian Peninsula and—presto! it looks’ like a federation. But it doesn’t work like that. Assessing the post-war from what one might almost call thfc disadvantage point of the inside, th.s northern area of Europe presents a picture of typical complications. But with all difficulties and varying views which have been sharply articulate here in recent times it is clear that there is a tremendous urge for the erection of the machinery of ft stable order. Talk to a Swede, Norwegian, Dane, or Finn—this still neutral capital includes them all—and one finds that they all favour federation. Near and Yet So Far But the conversation cannot go on for more than 50 seconds without the discovery that the mental distance between them is measurable only in Swedish miles, Which Six tifflSS At long as the American Statute mile. Yet every Swede will walk a good many Swedish miles and so will hi* other Nordic friends in order to lift the shadow of Mure war from these lands. Thus it may be that out of the resolution of the difficulties which the Nordic nations face in discussing postwar organisation may come one of the really significant contributions to world order. At the risk of some Oversimplification here are the major approaches; The Swedes, in spite of their nonengagement in hostilities, are keenly aware of the security and social issues that will arise as the war ends. It is from them that major impetus is given to the Nordic federation idea to embrace perhaps 17,000,000 pefsOrtS and weld four nations into a defensive bloc capable of effective military action and yet preserving independent cultures and economies. What Type of Federation? The Swedish idea is to form a regional federation, first and join up With an international system thereafter. The Norwegians feel that security does not reside in Scandinavia alone. Their own harrowing experience makes them look for major aid elsewhere. Also, their position on the Atlantic ocean prompts some Swedes to desire to participate in an “Atlantic system.” Recalling the days when Sweden ruled one of the greatest empire* on the European continent, Norwegian* do not want to risk a second-fiddle role. A widely held view i* to establish a functioning international system first, after which, let regional Cooperation develop naturally. The Danes, being under occupation, are naturally less articulate. There i* a strong movement for a federation centred on the pre-invasion NOffliC bloc. The Question of Finland But many Danes do not want to include Finland in any Nordic group. This raises a particular problem vis* a-vis Sweden, which wants Finland in the northern political sphere ft* a buffer against Russia. The Finns themselves are less interested in federation as such than as a means of escaping Russia and Germany. At a moment when the Finnish position toward the United Nations is at best ambiguous, the practical aspect of the Finnish problem is What Russia wants after the war, Russia doesn’t say, but there is little disposition here to believe that Russia will eliminate all of Finland, any more than it did in last winter’s war. The whole federation question has been thrown into vigorous debate by a recent speech by Johan Nygaatdsvold, head of the exiled Norwegian Government in London, in which he said that it would be unfortunate if countries which have escaped war or

occupation begin to appear as leaders ot teacher* lor those tarrying the brunt of hoetilitiea. To anyone in the dark a* to wheat he meant, Swedish newspapers immediately made it clear that his Shaft was aimed at Stockholm. The "Svehska Dagbladet,” in this connexion, points out that telations between Swedes and Norwegian* in exile are not completely restored. The Swedes have no Envoy at Lon- s. don, although they are maintaining-, Swedish consuls on conquered Nor- 7 wegian soil. The Norwegians understand that con. tlnuance of consular relations is a valuable window into Norwegian conditions and a help along humanitarian lines, but there is considerable hope that the dispatch of a Swedish Minister to King Haakon Of Norway in England will not be long in coming. One Of the Chief points made by the Norwegians is the necessity that the federation grow organically rather than be superimposed. The "svehska Dagbladet" reminds that Premier per Aibin Hansson, in his' May Day speech, declared solution of the Nordic problem would only grow “from realisation among Nordic peoples that the steps to be taken were sound and proper.” Plea for Collaboration One of the strongest pleas for Nordic collaboration was made recently by the Defence Minister, Per Edvin SkOeld. Be declared: “If all other northern countries are prepared to follow the same lines of foreign policy as does Sweden, and ,if they desire 'joint foreign defence, but otherwise to • maintain individual independence and special characteristics, then Sweden in its sWrt interests should participate id northern collaboration.” Mr Skbeld Specifically Objured imperialistic interests. He emphasised that it was inconceivable that Sweden Should l§t itself be drawn in “by any power group desiring hegemony over other countries,” This liri§ WO* not Unlike the one recently taken by Richard Sandler, one of the major proponents of Nordic federation, in declaring “Sweden is definitely &6t Willing to line up in on 6 great power camp in opposition to another.” ... Ohfe df the most trenchant analyse* of the situation is made by an anonymous Norwegian in the Goteborg Handels och Sjofartstidning, which has been vigorously anti-Nazi, urging a stronger Swedish Government policy. , Pointing out that Sweden’s helpfulness to Germany in the transit of troops on leave through to Norway has caused Current embitterment, the writer makes b plCb for b fetfrp by step re-establish-ment Of economic, cultural, industrial, and other relations. From such steps he contends that a closer union among thft nations Would grow organically. Inquiry Into Relief Meanwhile Sweden is hot only the focal point for much of the consideration of post-war problems, but is actively engaged in an inquiry into domestic reconstruction and related international problems. Under a programme sponsored by the finance Minister, Ernst Wigforss, studies have been taken up regarding International relief, currency, employment, demobilisation and public works. It is realised that Sweden’s industrial capacity and shipping, if the nation escapes actual hostilities, will put it in a major position to assist in immediate post-war problems. In this connexion negotiations are quietly progressing between private concerns for Russian contracts. And clearly, the northern countries themselves will be prominently on the list to utilise Swedish resources.

Whatever the political outcome, the. discussion of post-war plans will un- r questionably do much to clarify a problem which may prove to be bigger thaa the war itself.