The Freeman's Journal, Friday, June 9 1905.
Norway, with the utmost graciousness, has kissed hands to Sweden, and said Farewell. It is a pathetic parting in its simplicity and absence of fuss, incomparable. The two nations became united between six and seven hundred tears ago, through marriage, and almost exactly as England and Scotland were united in the times of James 1. Before the union the history of Norway was that of a brave and sea-faring race, always ready to descent on the coasts of other countries, to settle there, and if not able to settle, to carry off any spoil that could be seized. From the time of the Union with the Swedish crown, however, the history of Norway changes and becomes bound up with that of the other Scandinavian countries. With Sweden, Norway entered the Calmar Union in 1397, but when that union was broken up in the beginning of the 16th century, she remained with Denmark. Apparently she became the most obedient and servile vassal of the little Jutland promontory. The Danish kings were accepted in Norway with only an occasional show of dissent or resistance. Norwegian national life - and Norwegian literature also - practically died out. Better times, however, began to dawn in the Napoleonic upheaval. Restrictions were removed from the lands, administration was improved and the material prosperity of the country rapidly increased. By the terms of the Peace of Kiel , dated 14 Jan 1814, Norway was to be transferred from Denmark to Sweden. Previously, Bernadotte, one of Napoleon's marshals, had become the Swedish king; and the present Royal Family is descended from him. At first the Norwegians were inclined to resist the new arrangement, but at the time their means of revolt were small, and the Swedes wisely offered liberal terms. In the same year the constitution was solemnly ratified by both countries, and since then the only differences between Sweden and Norway have hinged entirely, not on questions of racial differences, or of the domination of one state over another, but on strictly constitutional matters.
With the development of Norway as a mercantile power, however, there was always the danger of a dispute as to the joint representation of the two countries abroad. The act of Union of 1814 made it clear that Norway should remain "a free, independent, indivisible, an inalienable Kingdom". The Union, as a matter of fact - differing thus fundamentally from the Unions between England and Scotland and England and Ireland - was primarily in regard to foreign affairs. When the Norwegians chose the King of Sweden as their king also, Norwegian foreign affairs were relatively unimportant. When her trade increased, Norway naturally began to wish for some standpoint of her own in relation to foreign matters. These, since 1814, have been managed by the Swedish foreign minister, and there was natuarally a good deal of jealousy on the part of the Swedes who regarded themselves as the "Predominant Partner" in the Union when they found the Norwegians outstripping them in the struggle for the overseas trade of Scandinavia. It was the case of Ireland and England in the eighteenth century over again. Fortunately for Norway, however, it not only had an independent legislature, but an executive responsible to it, so that Sweden was utterly unable if she had wished, to restrict the expansion of Norwegian trade. The development of Norwegian trade did not turn the minds of the Norwegians towards independence. In fact, so far as may be gathered from an independent study of the telegrams from Christiana and Stockholm, there had never been the least desire on the part of Norway to burst up the Union over the Consular or any other question. That a nation which was a sovereign nation, however, with complete control of its army and navy, and an independent parliament should have its consular service abroad controlled by another country was certainly a great anomaly.
It was thought that the matter was settled in 1905, during the regency of the Crown Prince, when a Joint Commission appointed by the Governments of the two countries settled how the division of the Consular service should occur.
When it came to giving effect to the recommendations of the Commission, however, the Swedish Government went back on its word and raised the fresh claim that the Norwegian Consuls should be under the control and jurisdiction of the Swedish Foreign Minister.
The Norwegian Storthing, of course, would not, after all that had occurred, tolerate such a proposal, and last month took the matter into its own hands , and passed a Bill for the establishment of separate Consulates.
The Bill was vetoed by the King; and the Norwegian government, as the telegrams of the last few days indicate, has passed resolutions deposing the king and dissolving the Swede-Norwegian Union. The King has protested, apparently with some warmth. But what can he do? Invade Norway? It would not be worth his while, for there is nothing to be gained by war, either for himself or for his family. The Storthing has put on record its great regard for his house and for the Swedish people, and has even asked King Oscar to nominate a new Norwegian King for the now vacant Norwegian throne. Besides, it would be a civil, a fratricidal war, as the Swedes and Norwegians are friends and brothers in race and religion.
War between the two countries, indeed, is unthinkable. King Oscar, then, it seems to us, will have to accept the situation, and to allow Norway to be a completely independent country for the first time during the last seven centuries. Never in the history of the world has there been such a quiet, complete, and perhaps, justifiable revolution in the relations of two nations. (Complete text)
Oppdatert 14.03.04
Wigo H. Skråmm, Fetsund - Nils Steinar Våge, Lillestrøm