Weekly Freeman (Dublin) Saturday, Sept 30, 1905

Comment column

"The croakers who predicted war between N & S have been silenced by the announcement that an agreement has been arrived at by the delegates at Karlstad. The precise terms are not known, but it is understood that the question of the Norwegian fortresses which threatened to become a "casus belli" will be referred to arbitration. Whatever the issue there is to be no war. There is a strong outcry against the development of a Jingo spirit and Dr. Nansen says - The Norwegians have no desire either to humiliate or to be humiliated, and a binding arbitration treaty is a better frontier defence than fortresses". Other advisors bid the Norwegians be prepared for the worst in the matter of these fortresses and to exercise self-control when the terms of the agreement are published. It is more than likely that excitement over the agreement will speedily give way to the interest of the great question remaining, namely, whether Norway is to have a King or a Republic, upon which the leaders of the people, following the precedent adopted with regard to the dissolution of the union, will no doubt take a plebiscite."

Oppdatert 14.03.04
Wigo H. Skråmm, Fetsund - Nils Steinar Våge, Lillestrøm