The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 1917, GERMANY AND SCANDINAVIA

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3121, 27 June 1917, Page 4

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 1917, GERMANY AND SCANDINAVIA

between Norway and Germany'is brought within the region ?, Possibilities by the discovery of the German plot which is now under, investigation by the Norwegian authorities. It appears to be already established that Germany, not content with ruthless submarining,, has made free use of agents and depots in Norway in furtherance of her murderous outrage against Norwegian shipping, iterating this in addition to what she has already suffered at Germany's hands, Norway would forfeit her self-respect. If the essential facts axe.as they have been reported her verdict in the natural outcome would bo cast for war. This does not exhaust the possibilities of tho situation. Before the present crisis arose Germany's callous disregard and violation of neutral rights had produced a grave state of tension not only in Norway, but also in Sweden. Even in Donmark, though that country is perilously placed with a land frontier adjoining Germany, angry protests have_ been raised. It is probably within the facts to say not only that Norway may be on the brink of. war with Germany, but 1 that a league of Scandinavian nations against Germany is a practical possibility. , In tho early stages, of tho war such a league seemed unthinkable, .but various developments, and. not least tho operation of Germany's policy of murder and outrage, have put an entirely different aspect on the situation. As recently as May 12 it was announced that as tha result of a three days' conference between • Swedish,- Danish, and Norwegian Ministers at Stockholm it had been decided that the three countnes,should maintain impartial neutrality; There is ample evidence to-day, and ample evidence was available when ■ it was made, that this announcement was rather the pious expression of . a • fading hope than an-index of existing conditions. Impartial neutrality' haa most obviously failed to servo its intended purpose so far as Norway is concerned, and as to the general outlook for the Scandinavian countries wo may take the opinion of the Christiania Tidens Tegn:_ "The reports that a ynited Scandinavia is able to prevent war have no roal foundation."

There arc not tho same definite grounds for believing -that Sweden may go to extremes••' with Germany as for assuming that Norway may take that course, but very great changes have occurred in Sweden since the days ,when one scotion of tho population was distinctly proGerman and all tho rest were definitely devoted to a policy of neutrality. An interesting survey, of existing political conditions in Sweden was contributed to bis paper recently by the Stockholm correspondent of the London Byslander. It should be noted thai, Knot Hajimarskjold, who was Prime Minister of Sweden throughout tho war until March G, resigned on that clato, to bo succeedod by Dr. Schwartz, who is. described by the Copenhagen Polilihcn as "a pallid echo" of the powerful ex-Premier. The Bystander correspondent thinks that the change in the Premiership is moro apparent than real. Hajimarskjoi.d, deposed from office, but still powerful, is struggling for supremacy with Braktinq, tho leader of the Swedish Socialists. Of. the struggle, tho correspondent writes:

Branting is Sweden's most powerful citizen with, perhaps, one exception, and that is Hammarekjold. The wrestlo between Branting and Haminarskjold is terrifically fierce. . .. . The feud is between pro-German Conservatives, who support Haminarskjold and want a proGorman policy, and pro-Entente Socialists (with docilely pro-Entente Liberals under their wing), -who want ,good relations with England. . . . This difference of views has como to a head in an armamonts issue not visibly connected with pro or anti-Gormanism; but at bottom all Swedish armaments issues are between pro-Gormanism and anti-Ger-manism. The pro-armaments party is pro-Germas, Conservative, and Hammarskjoldian; and tho anti-Armaments party; is pro-Allies, Socialist-liberal, and

fcrantiugian. Daily the struggle takes a more pro-German versus pro-J3ntonte cliaracter. Humir.arskjold's Conservatives «>rear that tho Opposition's motive is .Lntento Activism" (Activism being a flesiro for fighting on either side). The bocialist-Liboral Opposition retorts that the real activists are Hamniarskiohr.s Conservatives, who want Sweden to light tor tiermany.

Another liiiglish correspondent reported recently that the danger of a revolution against the present Government and royal family of Woden is so great that two warImps have, been placed in thd anchorage- opposite tho royal palace, to bo available if the King and Queen are compelled to flee. "The situation," he added, "is very serious. Every day the attitude of tho Government and its sympathy with Germany are resented more vigourously by tho people." No suggestion has been made that Sweden is likely to take an active military part on the side of fee Entente, but the complete overthrow of her pro-German party would nevertheless carry exceedingly important consequences. Tho moral effect at this stage of the war of a united. Scandinavian protest against Germany's crimes would be considerable. ' It is important also that Sweden is a country through which Germany, is able at present to obtain a considerable volumo of supplies. Tho biggest consideration of all is that a definitely antiGerman policy on Sweden's part would go a long way towards depriving Germany of her at present almost complete command of tho entrances to tho Baltic. The free access to Norwegian territorial waters which they have now somo prospect of gaining would materially assist tho Entente Powers in coping with the enemy submarine campaign. Further, and most valuable assistance to this . end would be given if-Sweden similarly afforded access to her territorial waters, and the Entente would be vastly better placed than at present to challenge Germany's command of tho'Baltic entrances and her inter-J position of a barrier between Russia and her Allies on tho Baltic routes. Whether eithor Norway or Sweden is prepared at tho moment to go to tho extreme of war with Germany is open to doubt. Whilo they would havo little occasion to fear invasion by military forces it may bo regarded as certain that tho German Fleet and probably German airships would attempt to .carry out against them the samo murderous practices which they havo pursued against undefended towns m England. Tho fact cannot bo ignored that the smaller nations within reach of Germany have been very submissive under tho lawless terrorism which has been an outstanding feature of German policy, towards her neutral neighbours. On the other, hand 'it is an open question whether Norway would be very much Tvorso off with Germany as an activocnemy than she has been playing tho part of a neutral nation. :