SWEDEN AND THE WAR.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13996, 28 January 1916, Page 5

SWEDEN AND THE WAR.

GOVERNMENT'S' POLICY OF

NEUTRALITY,

Stockholm, Jan. 25.

The debate on the Budget took place in both Houses. In the Rikssdag the Liberal Leader, Herr Eden, declared that the people demanded a policy of unreserved neutrality.

Herr Trau ting, the Socialist leader, feared that in future they would be unable to maintain firm neutrality.

The Premier urged that it was impossible to doubt, that the policy of the Government was sincerely neutral, consistently adhering to the principle of; co-operating on the common objects of neutrals, especially with Denmark and: Norway. Their efforts had largely succeeded. The present grouping of Powers was not a lasting one. It was possible in future a belligerent would re-gret-tearing up treaties aiid violating international law for the^ sake of" & doubtful temporary advantage. If we had irisisted upon less strict commercial neutrality we might have lessened industrial inconveniences although these were no more than other neutrals suffered.

Herr Trauting complained that thespeech was obscure in regard to neutrality. A policy of reasonable compromises was needed. We should not allow ourselves to be driven ifco es* treraes1. Although the Premier said the Government's aim was peace, they must remember that peace might be impossible despite all efforts.