Norway is Prepared As Nations Report on Independence

 

Determined to Assert Its Independence From Sweden by Force if Necessary

Recognition by England

That Nation Has Announced That It Will Recognize Independence of Kingdom in Immediate Future -- Emperor William Not Willing To Intervene for the Swedish Dynasty.

Special Caulegram to The News.

London, June 8, 1905

High officials at the Foreign Office are unanimous in the conviction that under no circumstances will the English Government sanction interference with Norway's plans of territorial integrity by any outside Power. Lord Lansdowne is known to have formed a definite decision in the matter. English battleships will be called on to carry out the edict of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, who has thoroughly canvassed the situation with Premier Balfour.

Norway has fully counted the cost of the step it has taken and is fully prepared to assert its independece by force if necessary. As far as England's support of the new Nation, it is already announced that it will recongize the indepence of the kingdom in the immediate future.

King Oscar Refuses

Will Not Receive Deputation With Storthing's Address

Stockholm, Sweden, June 8, 1905

King Oscar has refused to receive the deputation appointed to present him the Norwegian Storthing's address.

The news of the refusal of the King to receive the deputation was sent to the President of the Storthing, M. Henri, who received a telegram from the King reading as follows:

As I do not recognize the revolutionary steps which the Storthing, in violation of the Constitution and net of union and in revolt against the King, has unfortuately taken, I decline to receive the deputation."

The King is receiving many telegrams expressing sympathy and devotion from all parts fo the kingdom.

Republic Possible

Should Danish and Swedish Houses Refuse Throne of Norway, It May Become a Republic.

Copenhagen, June 8, 1905

It is reported that the Norwegian Government in noting King Oscar's apprently defiant rule to consider the offer of the Storthing to place a Prince of the House of Bernadotte on the throne has privately approched the Danish royal family to ascertain if any offer of the throne would be received by a member of it, prefarably Prince Charles, son of Crown Prince Frederick.

The general opinion expressed here is that such an offer would be refused. According to reports from Stockholm, King Oscar may be induced to reserve his decision and to favorably regard the offer of the throne for a member of his house. Leading Swedish politicians are much divided over the question, which, it is understood, will not be definitely decided prior to the extraordinary session fo the Riksdag.

Authoritative information received from Norwegian circles represents the majority of Norwegians as opposed to giving the throne to a Prince of the House of Bernadotte. It is stated that if King Oscar should definitely refuse the throne for a member of his family and that if the royal Danish family should likewise refuse to place one of its Princes on it, Norway will become a Republic, and that this is favored by the mass of the people.

The Storthing, however, belived that the offer of the throne to a Prince of the House of Bernadotte would fucilitate future negotiations with Sweden over the common interests of both countries. It is understood that these negotions will be begun as soon as possible after special envoys have been sent to the Powers requesting the recognition fo teh independence of Norway.

Dr. Hagerup, former Premier and now Minister at Stockholm; Siguld Isben adn Fridjof Nausen, the Artic explorer, are mentioned as envoys to the Powers.

All those in teh civil service of Norway have annouced their adhesion to the new Government and all teh Generals have taken the oath of allegiance.

There is no excitement reported either in Norway or Sweden. Ovations in honor of King Oscar continue at Stockholm, where there is a firm determination not to recognize the action of the Storthing as definitely achieving the disruption of the union.

Crown Price Gustave passed through Copenhagen tonight on his journey from Berlin. He was received by Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark and appears to be much concerend over the situation.

The Associated Press learns that Crown Prince Gustave had a long interview on the crisis with Emporor William before he left Berlin and that it is understood that the Emperor is not unwilling to intervene for the Swedish dynasty.

An authority intimately connected with the Emperor confirms a rumor that he aboandoned his trip to Norway at the request of Crown Prince Gustave.

The general opinion is that the Crown Prince was more irreconcilable to Norway that was his father, and there is no doubt that he induced King Oscar to veto the consular bill.

Many English and American tourists who arrived here on their way to Norway have abandoned the trip owing in the revolution.

Flag Flies Today

Norwegian Emblem Will Be Hoisted.

Those on Fortresses to Be Saluted.

Christiania, June 8, 1905

17 May Celebration

The Council of State following the action of the Storthing in dissolving the union of Norway and Sweden, proclaiming that King Oscar is no longer King of Norway, and placing the reins of government in the hands of the Council of State, in proceeding with the reorganization of the Government in the manner indicated in the program which had been more or less prepared before that step was taken in which yesterday's peaceful revolution was accomplished.

The Department of National Defense has issued a decree to the Army, acquainting it with the resolution of the Storthing and the assuption of the Government by the Council of State and intimating that the army must comply with the new conditions rendering allegiance to those now conducting the Government.

Minister of State Loveland has been appointed Foreign Minister, and the Council of State has decided to divorce the Foreign Office from the Departments of Commerce and Navigation, with which heretofore it has been amulgamated. The council also resolved to eliminate the emblems of the union from the war flag of Norway. The new Norwegian Flag will be hoisted throught the country at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

The Council of Defenses has ordered the flags all over the fortresses and warships of Norway to be saluted with twenty-one guns.

The Storthing this afternoon empowered the President of the House to forward to King Oscar the address adopted yesterday.

The prayer book of the Norwegian Church has been modified in accordance with the change in the present situation, the prayers for the royal family being omitted.

It is announced that Mr. Gude, Minister at Copenhagen, who is a Nowegian, has decided to resign, and it is assumed that Mr. Grip, Minister at Washington, Mr. Von Ditten, Minister at Rome, and Baron Von Wedel Jarisport, Minister at Madrid, who also are Norwegians, will tender their resignations.

Mr. Paulsen, Premier Michelsen's secretary, has returned from Stockholm, where he went to hand to King Oscar the letter announcing the decision of the Norwegian Government. The King opened the letter and read the first few lines. He then appeared to be deeply moved and asked his secretary to read it aloud. At the conclusion of the reading, His Majesty vented his feeling in tears, but soon bercame clamer and spoke amicably to the Norwegians present, assuring them of his increasing affection for Norway and for the Norwegian people.

Long Live Sweden

King Oscar Made a Short Address to a Large Crowd at the Palace Last Night.

Stockholm, June 8, 1905

The inhabitants of Stockholm to the number of several thousand, assembled in front of Rosendale Castle this evening and made a demonstration of their loyalty for King Oscar. His Majesty, with Queen Sophia, Crown Prince Gustave and other members of the royal family, appeared on a balcony of the castle and were greeted by the National anthem, which was sung by the enormous crowd.

The King listened to a short address, to which he replied in and loud and clear voice, but which was shaken by emotion.

He assured his subjects of his deep gratitude for their demonstration and love, and in conclusion said:

"Long live our ancient, glorious and loyal country, so good and so dear. Long live Sweden!"

Thunderous cheers greeted the close of the speech.

Kaiser is Interested

Is Expected to Take an Active Part in Adjusting Matters in the New Nation.

Special Cablegram to the News.

Berlin, June 8, 1905

Events connected with the presence of the Swedish Crown Prince, who represented King Oscar at the wedding of the German Crown Prince, prompts the authoritative statement by a diplomat high in the German service that King Oscar is taking active counsel of the Kaiser and Prince Von Buelow with reference to teh secession of Norway and its establishment of an independent sate and the interst of the German Emperor does not end here. He is taking such an active interest in the affairs of Scandinavia that he has announced an intention of visiting Stockholm and other Swedish ports in the next few weeks, and that he will be escorted by two of Germany's crack battleships.

Dr. Nansen Mentioned.

Swedish Legation at Paris Regards Him a Possible Successor to the Throne of Norway.

Paris, June 8, 1905

The crisis between Norway and Sweden is widely discussed by officials and diplomats here. The Swedish Legation points out that the Storthing acted before consulting the people. Dr. Nansen's name is mentioned as being strong with the Republican element of Norway in case King Oscar declines to permit a Prince of the royal family to become King of Norway. The Swedish officials maintain that no member of the royal family can accept owning to their loyalty to the King.

Ask President to Recognize

Boston, Massachusetts, Juse 8, 1905

Norwegian born American citizens resident in Boston are preparing a petition to President Roosevelt asking that this Government recognize Norway as a free and independent Nation.

Source: Galveston Daily News, June 9, 1905, Page 2, Galveston, Texas

 
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