During the world war, when] Sweden from the very first, and later on in spite of all difficulties, maintained a strict neutrality whatever else may have been imputed by} any of-the belligerent parties, King] Gustaf played un important part especially in regard to the position of the three northern kingdoms Norway and Sweden in stages of the war. It} will be remembered that after the dissolution of the U: with Sweden a Danish Prince, mateied to the daughter of King Edward of England, had been elected King of Norway.
Relations between Sweden andj Norway had in the course of years generally improved and had even} begun to develop into friends) but between the two Royal Houses ho rapprochement had taken place, In view of the great dangers that! might threaten in case the three northern kingdoms—in with certain predilections among the peoples and certain old connections, traditions.and separate interests—should follow diverging courses in their policies under the pressure of the manifold political and economic complications, temptations, or more or less tavert threats of the war, Gustaf grasped the opportunity €0 remove the last remaining, traces of the constitutional eonfiet with Norway, which had cost him the evown of that country. In December of 1914 he invited the ies of Denmark and Norway to meeting in Malmo, the capital of the southernmost province of Sweden.
The Triple Royal Meeting This was the celebrated Seat ian Triple Royal meeting, in which the Prime Ministers and Foreiga Ministers of the respective coun-took part, and where during the years of war was inaugurated what was practically common policy of neutrality and mutual economic assistance. Thin c0- operation was continued—and strengthened as the stress was increased through increasingly more vigorous warfare. During the later stages this policy called for still further development through bring. ing about a lack of commodities, and thereupon the three northern king. dons were formed into one single area of production with a free and mutual exchange of commodities. 'The Triple Royal meeting at Malmo was followed by another one at Oslo in 1917, where King Gustaf, publicly calling to mind that the' disrupt tion of the Union in 1905 had dealt, a severe blow to the idea of Scandinavian unity, made an appeal for a new form of unity and agreement between the three countries. "Lot us form a fresh union," he said 'a public speech, "not of the old ud, bat & unin of mutual under standing and of hearts, the vit of which 1 trust will be mote last ing than that of the former kind." With that he grasped the hands of the other two Kings, and his appeal was sealed before the nations by a silent promise. It is impossible fully to estimate the importance! during the difficult times of the war-crisis of the ce-operation thus initiated between the three countries. It is a certainty, however, that it has reacted favourably to them all daring the years after the war, and that the beneficent effect of these northern royal meetings will continue in the future.
Foundations of Monarchy King Gustaf has with great men judged the political conditions of his country and the claims for political expression of modern developments, with the consequence that the foundations of constitu ional monarchy in Sweden stand firm. The advance of democracy during this generation has certainly to some extent, and. inevitably, circumscribed the royal prerogative, but no essential alterations have curred. The new developments, influenced by the traditions and experiences of centuries, have taken Place without serious disturbances. After the war Socialist Governments thanks to wisdom and concessions Dasedl on the dependable experiences have alternated with Conservative and Moderate Governments without
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.