STATUS OF THE BALTIC.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 134, 29 February 1908, Page 11

STATUS OF THE BALTIC.

Writing on January 16, the Paris correspondent of tho "Standard"' says :— . I have not alluded to the multitude of rumours that have been in'circulation lately with respect to an alleged treaty concerning the status quo of the Baltic, partly because tho question is still in an embryonic stage, and partly because Francs is scarcely directly interested" in tho-matter. It may not,-per-haps, bo out of place, however, to put the wholo subject into focus in'order to correct some of tne very distorted views that have been 1 taken. , .Tho genesis l of the argument arose' out -of the separation between Norway, and Sweden and tho guarantee of Norwegian territorial integrity, and had a double root, so to speak. Firstly, thero was a strong sentimental feeling in some quarters that Swedish amour propro'ought to have somo satisfaction given to it, and, secondly, Russia, had long chafed under tho Treaty of Paris, iorbidding' the fortification of the Aland Islands. The ,latter consequently approached Germany and Sweden tentatively with a view of ascertaining what.modification might bo possible. It was only , after tho cxchango of views between,' St. Petersburg, Berlin, and Stockholm that Russia advised Franco arid Germany advised England as be-, ing other signatories to the. Treaty of Paris. The result of bringing Franco and England into tho deliberations was somewhat to change their scope. Tho question of tho North Sea On which Norway may also have a diplomatic word to say was also introduced. Tho "conversations,"- after becoming general, liavo been carried on, but only in spasniodic and desultory fashion for the last six wooks, -'principally- in London, Berlin, and St. Petersburg. Tho skeleton even of anything liko a concrete agreement has not oven yet been formed, and tho foundation of tho wholo business is sentimental rather than practical. It is evident that if the status quo in time of peace, as settled in 1857, is to be reasserted, it would but little affect what might happen when either of the signatories became belligerent, and so far as Franco is engaged sho has such small concern, either political or commercial, in those waters that her part is that of a friend out for a walk with others who aro discussing matters to which she merely listens, with vicarious interest. It may be added with certainty that nothing whatevor ,has been agreed upon, as tint, much liavo anv «cnatures <