The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 1905. THE SCANDINAVIAN DIVORCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7848, 14 June 1905, Page 2

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 1905. THE SCANDINAVIAN DIVORCE.

Amidst the hearty cheers- of the soldiers and tho people the tricolour has been substituted for the - 'Union flag throughout Norway. Such was the news by cable on Monday, coupled with the intimation that there have been demonstrations of loyalty and devotion to King; Oscar (throughout Sweden. The two countries which for over ninety years past Jrave been united tinder one rule have come lo the parting of the ways—a course towards which; tiiey have boon drifting almost ever since the union was established. Norway, one of tho oldest States in Europe, has always occupied a somewhat peculiar position, and has been on more than one occasion joined to another Slate. The restless disposition of the Norseman has almost become a proverb, and doubtless in somie measure accounts for the vicissitudes through which the country has (jassed. In the earliest times Norway, like England, was divided amongst petty Rings or chiefs and the people were notorious for their piratical habits. In 1042 the kingdom became .united with Denmark under the sway of Magnus the Good but at his death the union ceased. In 1319 tho crown* of Norway nnd Sweden wore for a short time united in the person of Magnus V., whose successor became also king of Denmark. Then Sweden dropped 'out of the union leaving Norway and Denmark to draw closer and closer together until Sweden became a men dependency' So matters continued'.

so far as Norway was concerned, until after tho defeat! of (S>poleon li> the allien in 1813 when, in return for the help given by Sweden to the allies, it was arnaMgW' must cedeiNorway to Sweden, the result being that union of the two two countries under the Swedish crown 'which has just terminated; Meanwhile, during the time that the individuality or Norway became practically lost in the union with Henmark, Sweden, notwithstanding internal troubles, had been advancing in political importance and for a time became 'the leading power ot tho north, especially during! tne reign of the celebrated Charles XII, until the military genius of that monarch was disastrously closed at tho battle of Poltava in 1709, which compelled Sweden to yield the presidency among the northern States to Hussia. Thereafter the fortunes of that Country waned considerably, and internal troubles were incessant, the turning point tjeiug the accession of the house of Bernadotte to the throne, when Sweden agaib held the whole of tin. Scandinavian Peninsula, though deprived of all her other European possessions. The union of Sweden and Norway lias throughout been marked with a certain amount of friction,and considering tho volatile temper of the Norwegians, and their democratic tendencies, tihe marvel is that a rupture has not taken place earlier. Tho Constitution was, however, framed, with such elaborate care that every precaution was taken not to wound the susceptible natures of tho Norsemen, who have always exhibited the greatest jeajlously witllv respect to ther State rights and privileges, as well as their jptPn> al freedom- There is one feature p?|ffM ve to thu utti " tude of the Norwegians that affords art insight into their character, and that is their disinclination to be nil--od by any other than u< crown<d hegd. One of the earliest differences that arose between the united' kingdoms had reference to the governorship of Norway, and at the wish of tho people the office was abolished shortly after the accession of Oscnr 11. 'ftis sentiment Is finite in keeping with the traditions of -the race, and oven no'w tn air Hosts itself- In the expressed tiesire. the BitSCr,thing—llie Norwcgjanl I'arliniiii nl,—fur Princ? Ilernadotte .(King OsoarV s( rond son) to accept (the crown ot 'Njorway. Ine situation is therefore robbed of much of its acuteness by the business-like way in which the new departure is being managed. Thero is a deeply rooted feeling in Norway that tlw traditional honour and glory of tlw, kingdom must be upheld, and this has found immediate expression in tl» fcoistiag of the tricolour in place

of the union flag. TKe actual difference which has resulted iin tlie disruption of the union 'had its origin in the objection raised by Norway to the Consular service being- composed so largely of Swedes, and for many years past the Norwegians have been doing their utmost to obtain a scp- | a rate Consular system, as well as a Minister of Foreign affairs for Norway. This bijrning <*iie«('on has 4 broken the tie that has existed since 1814. King Oscar has persevered in h : s endeavours to effect a Compromise, but without avail. There is no fiuarrel l>etween Norway un ; d the Swedish throne, and now that the former has enjoyed for nearly a century the blessings of peace and good government it is "to be hoped that fu-. ture developments will reflect the best features of the immediate past. If the Norwegians continue in their present temperate and sagacious mood thero will be little to fear as to complications with Russia, for they must know full well that their future jwace und prosperity depends on keeping Russia at arms length. Greatly as the national divorce is to be regrett-r rd, there need be no apprehension of international trouble unless the Norwegians rush! into danger. With tho example of Finland before them, the Norwegians should use every effort to inpr.it'ate themselves, by means of qood government, with the Fowccp wh> c>n help them to resist Russian aggression, if atfemped, and then it is hardly likely that they w#l(t>e disturbed. Much depends on themselves and the spirit in which they set their house in order. We can but hopr for the best, and that the future of both Norway and Sweden may be • more satiatactory than the past.