The Daily Mail, June 8 1905 page 5
By a unanimous vote the Norwegian Parliament yesterday ended the long conflict with Sweden by declaring the union with that country at an end, and proclaiming the deposition of King Oscar as Sovereign of Norway.
Parliament further asked his Majesty’s assistance in order that a prince of his House might be elect independent King of Norway.
King Oscar replied by emphatically protesting against the Norwegian Government’s method of action.
At present there is no likelihood of an armed conflict between the two countries. Opinion in Stockholm rather favours separation as the only solution of a dangerous situation.
(From Our Own Correspondent.)
Christiania, Wednesday, June 7
An acute crisis has been reached in the relations between Norway and Seden. To-day the Norwegian Parliament passed a resolution virtually deposing King Oscar, and declaring the union with Sweden dissolved.
When the House met to-day for a short sitting the Ministry, whose resignation the King had refused to accept, handed over its powers to Parliament, which immediately and with unanimity passed the following resolution: -
"Whereas all the members of the Ministry have resigned their offices, and whereas the King has declared himself unable to procure for the country a new Government, and whereas the constitutional royal powers has thus ceased to be operative, the Strothing (Parliament) authorizes the members of the Ministry who retired to-day to exercise for the present in the capacity of the Norwegian Government the authority vested in the King in accordance with the fundamental law of the kingdom of Norway and the laws in force, with such modifications as are necessitated by the fact that the union with Sweden under one King has been dissolved in consequence of the King having ceased to act as Norwegian king."
The resolution was passed in complete silence. At the last words referring to King Oscar the members of Parliament and the public in the galleries rose in great emotion.
Nest the House adopted an address to the King, only five Socialists voting against it. His Majesty is therein informed of he measures taken to-day and Parliaments reasons for its decisions. The address proceeds: -
"The character of the union between Sweden and Norway has been differently interpreted by the two nations, Sweden desiring an extension and Norway a restriction of the common administration.
"During the last negotiations between the two countries the claims of the Swedish Government constituted an encroachment on Norway’s rights her independence, her national honour.
"More valuable than a political union is the feeling of solidarity and voluntary co-operation by both peoples. To these sentiments the present union is a danger.
"The dissolution of the union implies no ill-feeling against the people of Sweden or your dynasty. As evidence of this, the Storthing asks your Majesty’s assistance in order that a prince of your House - renouncing his hereditary rights to the throne of Sweden - may accept election as King of Norway.
"We hope that the day on which we choose our own King will usher in an era o quiet working years for Norway and of good relations with the Swedish people an their King, for whose person the Norwegian people will continue to retain unaltered respect and devotion."
On receiving the news from Christiania King Oscar sent the following telegram to M. Michelsen, the late Premier: -
"I have received the communication from the Council of State, and enter a most emphatic protest against the method of action of the Government."
The revolution - for such it is - is the most thorough and the quietest in history. Though a union has been dissolved and a king deposed life in Christiania shows no change in its usual routine. There is neither jubilation, anxiety, nor nervousness, only full confidence in the new Government.
In military circles there is some apprehension that Sweden may take forcible steps to restore the union, and it is pointed out that consignments of ammunition from Sweden have been sent to the frontier.
Norway, however, is well prepared for every emergency, and it in well-informed quarters there is little fear of war.
(From Our Own Correspondent)
Stockholm, Wednesday, June 9
The serious step taken by the Norwegian Government has created a sensation here, but public opinion is calm.
According to the Swedish view the Union cannot be dissolved without the consent of both the contracting parties.
It is stated that at one time the Norwegian leaders wished to see one of the younger Hohenzollen Princes on the throne. The Kaiser is very popular in Norway.
(From Our Own Correspondent)
Berlin, Wednesday, June 7
At the request of the Swedish Crown Prince, who is one of the wedding guests here, and in consideration of the political situation in Scandinavia, the Kaiser will not go for his naval cruise in Norwegian waters, and has informed the German Consul-General at Bergen of his decision.
A cruise in the Baltic Seas has been planned instead.
Norway’s political connection with Sweden dates from 1814, when it was ceded to that country by Denmark.
The friction that gradually developed between the two countries is due partly to incompatibility of temperament and partly to purely commercial reasons.
What has brought matters to a climax is the obstinate refusal of the Swedish Government to grant Norway’s claim to separate consular agents. The latter country pointed to its great preponderance in shipping as a reason for the concession, and finally the Storthing passed a Bill establishing a separate consular service.
On May 28 last King Oscar vetoed the measure. Thereupon the Cabinet tendered its resignation, which the King refused to accept.
Yesterday the crisis came. The Ministry handed over the reins of power to Parliament, which formally declared the ill-assorted union at an end.
Oppdatert 24.08.04
Wigo H. Skråmm, Fetsund - Nils
Steinar Våge, Lillestrøm