The report that a constitutional crisis has arisen in Sweden following the recent rejection by the Swedish Government of Finland's plea for military assistance is, if true, highly significant, as showing a cleavage of opinion between the Government on one side, and the military circles and the general public on the other. The rejection has also been strongly criticized by the Swedish Press, and while there is nothing to suggest that there is in existence in Sweden anything in the nature of a real desire for war, there is all the evidence in the world that the Swedish people see the peril which lies ahead for themselves if Russia is allowed to overrun Finland. There are also reports to the effect that Swedish Government in order not to arouse German anger too greatly, is considering the limitation of the passage through Swedish territory of volunteers anxious to go to the assistance of the Finns. It is to be hoped that these reports are incorrect, for otherwise they indicate that Sweden is being subjected to pressure which must inevitably bring about its ruination. If Sweden is going to resist aggression against herself, it would be better for her to commence now, for with the elimination of Finland, which it -is hoped will never come about, the menace of Russia will be much more imminent than it appears to be at the moment. Union of the Scandinavian countries in common defence of their respective integrities is the only manner in which they can hope to ward off the fate which threatens them, and it may be that the Swedish military and the public are taking the more realistic view of a situation which is serious enough to perplex any Government. Some change of policy may result from the conference at Copenhagen which commences on Saturday, but in the circumstances that cloof not appear to be very likely.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.