NEUTRALITY OF SWEDEN

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24150, 8 January 1944, Page 8

NEUTRALITY OF SWEDEN

MAINTAINING POLICY OF PEACE RESPONSIBILITIES AFTER THE WAR From Our Own Correspondent STOCKHOLM, November 23. “We all realise that the situation is still such that Sweden’s military preparedness must even now be kept at the highest possible standard,” said Mr Christian Gunther, Swedish Foreign Minister, in a speech in the Swedish naval town of Karlskrona. "This, in order that we may, as in the past, preserve and secure peace so far as it lies within our power to do so.” “He who attacks us, or who would compel us by violence to enter the war, will be our enemy—and no other. We sympathise with the world around us that is ravaged by war, but our own line of policy is and will remain a policy of peace and neutrality. “We believe, however, that later on we shall be able to break down the isolation which has been forced upon us. We have reason to believe that, when the reconstruction of a peaceful and decent world is begun,' there will be a great need for a peaceful attitude towards life and society, such as has found its principal haven in the small neutral countries during the ruthless years of war. “Every country will have to make its contribution in this work of reconstruction, and every contribution will have its special significance. I am thinking here not so much of the purely material contribution which Sweden can make, although that can be, especially at first, of relatively considerable importance. What I have in mind is Sweden’s contribution towards the spiritual physiognomy of the post-war world.

“The creation of a general trend of world policy aiming directly at the prevention of war will be, after this World War 11, not only the greatest but also the most obvious and urgent mission which humanity will be called upon to fulfil. Sweden will undoubtedly associate herself with such a new order, implying a just, farsighted and universal peace, international appeasement, and respect for the liberty of others.

. “Sweden will willingly take upon herself the liabilities and undoubtedly also the burdens which this will entail.”