NEUTRALITY

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 74, 21 December 1937, Page 3

NEUTRALITY

Aim Of Scandinavian Countries

DENMARK’S' SPECIAL POSITION

Following the September meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, a statement was issued recently that collaboration between the Scandinavian countries was proceeding satisfactorily with regard to such questions as revising rules of neutrality and obtaining supplies of necessities in exceptional circumstances. But it is. known that a big difficulty has arisen in connection with rearmament, says the London correspondent of the "Christian Science Monitor.”

Norway, Sweden, and Finland have been forced z to the conclusion that for the sake of maitaining their neutrality in Europe they must rearm. Denmark, on the other hand, has not only refused to embark on any largescale increases in her fighting forces, but her Prime Minister, Herr Thorwald Stauning, has denounced Scandinavian military co-operation. His pacifist speeches have somewhat alarmed opinion in the rest of Scandinavia. He contends that Denmark must show the world a changed attitude; that she should no longer look at her neighbours as powers ’ that threaten her peace. He says he believes that a more secure peace policy can be built up which will give the people greater confidence. Moreover, Herr Stauning is of the opinion that with Denmark striving after a higher standard of living she cannot afford to spend more on armaments. Neutrality remains the objective of Scandinavia despite the divergence of opinion on how it should be ensured. During the World War Scandinavian neutrality was maintained because it suited the Central Powers and the Allies. But the strategic importance of Scandinavia is said now' to have been changed _by the development of aircraft. Trade Interests Guarded. Denmark is most open to attack and Germany is regarded as her potential enemy. But Herr Stauning lias preferred to encourage a rapprochement with Germany which suits his country economically, for Germany is Denmark’s second best customer. On the other hand it cannot be denied that Swedish and Norwegian rearmament, even though intended to preserve neutrality, is directed partly against Germany. Therefore, it is not surprising that co-operation on this question lias broken down. Meanwhile Swedish and Norwegian rearmament is going ahead apace, and in Finland it is well to the fore iu the Government’s programme. All these developments arouse great interest in Germany and the Soviet. Russia is the "traditional enemy” of the Scandinavians, but since the advent of the. National Socialist regime in Germany that country has assumed a more menacing role in the eyes of tlie Scandinavian democracies.

Germany approves of Herr Stauning's denunciation of a Scandinavian military alliance and calls the Swedish social-democratic Press to task for propaganda against Germany. Russia Accuses Germans. The Soviet Press frequently alludes to alleged German intrigues in Scandinavia, especially Finland. Germany is accused of plotting to annext Scandinavian territory in the event of war and to be planning a coup d'etat in Finland.

Moscow papers raised a scare over a rumour that the Finnish Government

had leased a st retell of the northern Finnish coast to Germany. It was said iu Moscow that tlie purpose was the formation of a German naval base. Rumours are equally prone to come out of Berlin alleging Russian intrigues in northern Scandinavia. There are important railways and mining areas in Arctic Scandinavia which tlie Norwegians, Swedes and Finns consider they must be able to defend.

It is thought in well-informed circles in London that despite the difficulties preventing Denmark from seeing eye to eye with the other Scandinavian countries on the rearmament question, any suggestion of a serious upset in their policy of collaboration is unwarranted. It is felt that, the determination of this bloc to maintain neutrality at all costs will enable them to overcome their differences.