CONDITIONS IN SWEDEN.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17110, 11 October 1917, Page 4

CONDITIONS IN SWEDEN.

At the present time, in view of the disclosures regarding the transmission of messages from the Argentine to Germany through Sweden, an article on Hjalman Bimnting in the "Fortnightly" is of special interest, not so much for what it says about Branting as for what it says about Sweden's attitude towards the war. It is written by Hugo Vallentin. One of v the strongest upholders of the position of absolute neutrality, it is added, is Hjalmar Branting, editor of the "Social Demokraten," and the leader of the Social Democratic party in Sweden. Indeed,* it is likely that the Germans regard him as the very opposite of a neutral, s.eeing that in no Swedish paper has the ease of the Allies been put so fairly, and with such a thorough understanding, as in the one he edits. Born, in Stockholm in 1860, the only child of Professor Branting, he went to a private school, where the present King of Sweden, Gustav V., and his brothers were also pupils at the same time, and later, passing on to the University cf Upsala, he turned his mind mostly to the study of mathematics and astronomy. But he was soon to throw his scientific career aside, and to take up journalism. Soon also he became the

roost important speaker in the Social Democratic movement^ and now he is head of a party in Parliament numbering one hundred members. The writer of the article considers thai? the Social Democrats will return from the elections very much stronger, and possibly take over the control of the country.