The Dominion. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1915. GERMAN INTRIGUE IN SWEDEN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2633, 2 December 1915, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1915. GERMAN INTRIGUE IN SWEDEN

Dr. Sven' Hedxn, _ the well-known Swedish explorer, is endeavouring to persuade his countrymen to follow the example of the Turks and the Bulgarians, and join the ranks of the enemies of freedom and civilisation. We aro told that in "his great book on, the war' 1 he appeals to the Swedes to Abandon their neutrality in order to participate in the conflict as an ally of Germany. It is not quite clear whether the bo'ok referred to is the volume Dr. Hedin published about six months ago,- entitled With the German Armies in the West, or another exposition of his views regarding the war arid the Teutonic spirit. The "great book"

is probably a new literary effort. Like Housten Chamberlain, the renegade Englishman, Dr. Hedin has become more Germanic than 'tile Germans themselves. In his opinion the Germans can do no wrong. He even accepts with unquestioning faith the German excuse for the destruction of Louvain, and he regards the allegation thai; the Germans arc cruel in their treatment of prisoners and non-combatants as a wicked slander. But he seems to realise that tho world will not readily accept his denials of established facts, for he thinks it necessary to remark: "Perhaps I shall be believed if I protest before God that I will not write a single lino which is not true, and will describe nothing but what I have seen with'my own eyes." This simple-minded Swede naively assumes that what he did not see did not happen. He did not see the Lusitania torpedoed. Would ho therefore contend that the crime was never' committed 1 The Kaiser and other high personages of State made much of Dr. Hedin during his stay in Germany, and he appears to have proved an easy victim to their blandishments. He depicts the Ear-: pekor as an angel of light. He is quite fascinated by this compelling personality," who is "actuated absolutely by the will to do what is pleasing unto God 'and beneficial to his people." He tells us "that it is as if the whole room suddenly became lighter when one meets the glance of tho Emperor's calm blue eyes." Dr. Hedin's description of ' the Crown Prince at supper is one of the gems of his book. The Prince, "tall, slim, and royally straight, dressed in a dazzling white tunic," walks in with a firm step. Then comes the soul-stirring climax:

Would you like to know what the German Crown Prince, the Crown Prince of Prussia, eats for supper? Here is the menu Cabbage soup, boiled beef with horse-radish and potatoes, wild duck with salad, fruit, wine, and coffee with cigars. The lightest remark,, the smallest action of. the Great Assassin of Europe conveys to this sycophantic Swede some fresh evidence of the transcendent virtues of the Royal patron at whose feet he grovels. It is not surprising to find' that Dr. Hedin's "great book on the war" has not created a favourable impression in Sweden.

Early in,the war the Prime Minister of Sweden declared that the Government intended to .maintain a strictly neutral attitude. This policy is said to have the support of all political parties. German intrigue has -been active in the country, and has done mischief, but the results on the whole hare not been very satisfactory from the Teutonic point of view. ,Pi!oiiSSOE Ostwald, a leading German scientist, was sent Berlin to tempt Sweden to join the Teutonic Alliance by holding out hopes of a Baltic Empire in which oweden should be the leading State. He suggested that Russia mieht be made to part with Finland, But he was told that Sweden had ceased to hanker after Finland. When he was questioned as to the official language •of the future Baltic Empire he indiscreetly replied,. "German, of course." He was also asked some inconvenient questions regarding the future of Schleswig. His mission ended in failure. There is, however, a small, but active, pro-German war clique in Sweden which is agitating for an "activc Swedish foreign policy. Mr. Branting, the leader of the Swedish Social Democratic I arty, the strongest of the three parties in the Swedish House of Commins:- recently stated that "all political parties, all politically responsible men, and the overwhelming mass of the people, support without flinching the Government's policy of strict, loyal neutrality." "Much more than 90 per cent, of the peoPi ho said, "stand against every thought of drawing Sweden into any war adventure." war has, cf course, created some serious difficulties_ for Sweden. Her geographical and the closeness of her relationships with Germany have compelled her to walk very warily. The Prime Minister of' Sweden recentlv thought it necessary to point out that the country was not yet out of danger, and that he and his colleagues oould not subscribe to the opinion which some of the pacifists seemed fco hold, that under no ,circumstances would the attitude of neutrality be abandoned. The possibility of aventualities which might make the maintenance of peace impossible had to be taken into account. These remarks gave rise to some misgivings at the time, but Mr. Branting_ explained that the | eventualities" referred to meant "positively aggressive unfriendly acts against Sweden, and nothing else. ' _ The dread of Russia still exists in It is generally believed that, Russia wants to secure ports on the North Atlantic, but the Swedes are beginning to see that this need would not be nearly so pressing if the Allies should obtain control of the Dardanelles and thus provide Russia with a new outlet for her trade.