Daily Mail 19 September 1905 page 5
(From Our Own Correspondent.)
STOCKHOLM, Monday September 18
Notwithstanding the official statement issued on Saturday at midnight with a view to calming public opinion, the situation still continues extremely grave.
The negotiations at Karlstad have assumed a new phase to-day. Reporters are refused official details concerning the progress of the conference, but I understand that the Swedish Prime Minister, Mr. Lundberg, has made strong remonstrances on the subject of the continued concentration of Norwegian troops on the frontier and Norway’s warlike preparations generally.
The military representatives of both nations were present at to-day’s session at Karlstad.
In spite of semi-official assurances to the contrary published on behalf of the Norwegian Government in London and elsewhere, I am able to state without fear of contradiction that the entire Norwegian army is now mobilised and on a war footing. In addition to the armament of the permanent fortresses, temporary defences are being rapidly constructed along the frontier.
An official advertisement published in Christiania also calls for volunteer recruits. Even the Norwegian journalists at Karlstad are disappearing one after the other to join their various regiments.
These bellicose preparations have produced a most painful impression here, where public opinion passed yesterday from pessimism to a feeling of hope that peace would be preserved.
I must repeat the statement that Norway’s formal acceptance of the Swedish Riksdag’s moderate demands is the sine qua non of a peaceful dissolution fo the Scandinavian Union.
The massing of Norwegian troops on the frontier is tantamount to the presentation of a loaded pistol at the heads of the Swedish and Norwegian negotiators at Karlstad. Unless the warlike preparations cease, the cause of peace will be imperilled and the situation will again become most serious.
I understand the King Edward is working actively but unostentatiously towards alleviating the tension and bringing the conference to the desired close.
Oppdatert 24.08.04
Wigo H. Skråmm, Fetsund - Nils
Steinar Våge, Lillestrøm