THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED. EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1912. THE EUROPEAN SITUATION.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13456, 29 June 1912, Page 4

THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED. EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1912. THE EUROPEAN SITUATION.

The, development of international relations presents a very interesting phase at present, and a glance at the situation, readily explains the anxiety of British strategists that although: the North Sea is the centre of the naval ■situation, the Admiralty should not at the present juncture" impair the strength of the Empire, at a strategic point by the withdrawal-of the Mediterranean fleet, or share tlio responsibility of the defence of' the Mediterranean with any other Power, even so friendly a neighbour as France, whose interests in the matter are Britain's. There has been some talk recently of strained relations between Russia and Sweden. The former has long desired a portion of the Scandinavian peninsula,* to afford her an open Atlantic port. Dr Sven Hedin, the famous explorer, recently published a warning to Sweden touching Russia's foreign policy and her movements in regard to-Finland. In his book, which has had a strong vogue in Sweden, the author pleads for an increase of Sweden's naval and military forces on the ground'that Russia intends to attack Sweden and Norway with the object of acquiring a great naval base on^the Atlantic, and is Russianising Finland as a preliminary to that attack. How keenly the patriotic movement has been taken up by the Swedish! people is shown by the fact that a short time ago a deputation presented King Gustavus V. with the sum of twelve million kronen; about £700,000, which had been subscribed by the public in a short space of time, for the purpose of building battleships for the navy. Sweden's navy at the end of October last consist!ed of 12 coast defence vessels, one armoured cruiser, five torpedo boats, and three submarines. In- addition six torpedo boats and three submarines were beiig built. The approximate war strength of the Swedish army is 450,000, but under a new scheme, including all available classes, this figure will be increased to 600,000. The Duma has sanctioned a naval vote of £5,000,000 for the creation of a strong Baltic fleet. In ro-.ve-sehting the necessity for this expenditure, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, M. Sazariow, alluded to signs of growing animosity in Sweden .against Russi#, and to the eventuality of a Swedish attack. Russia must also, ho said, consider the possibility of a coalition of, other Powers against her. Germany's, recent offer of protection to Sweden against Russian aggression was met with most humiliating rejection. According to a'cable message on Tuesday, the Swedish Government had notified Britain and France of the offer, and of its reply, to the effect that Sweden did not require anyone to protect her integrity and honour. On the same day

the cables informed us of a significant speech delivered by th© Belgian King, in which His Majesty expressed the hope that his oountryvwould realise the supremo obligation of neutrality and would make sacrifices in the event of international complications compelling Belgium to defend her inviolability. Tho noutrality of Belgium is guarded by a special treaty, but she presents tho readiest avenue for a Gorman invasion of England. This week also we have received the. news of the impending meeting of the I^aiser and tho German Chancellor with the Czar and his Prime Minister, the successful "outcome of which, from the German point of view, would be inimical to British interests in Europe. The "Hamburger Nachrichten," for instance, trusts that the discussions will lead to reliable relationships. "The moment a Russo-German understanding is concluded," it adds, "British policy in Europe will be effectually crippled. If after Anglo-German relations are more aggravagated perhaps •Baron yon Bieberstein will have a greater opportunity than he desires to show what kind of diplomatist he is." The facts which have been given to the public during the last few days sufficiently illustrate the necessity for the supplementary naval statement Mr Winston Churchill is to. present to the House of Commons within tho next fortnight.