We have no desire to adopt a partisan attitude, since
both peoples deserve the respect and sympathy' of the British nation ; but we cannot help thinking that they are both in the wrong, and that the controversy is really due to temper in each case and rests on nothing sub- stantial. The Norwegians ought to have had magnanimity enough to say : "We will prove to you our goodwill by agreeing to demolish the works, though you have no right to ask it of us"; and the Swedes should also have been magnanimous enough to say : "If you are so suspicious of us, keep your forts, even though they violate in spirit the agreement we mean to make not to waste our resources by fortifying, against each other." But if, this is what each side ought to say, and would say if their blood were cool, it is clearly a case for arbitration, for no vital interest of_ either Power is involved, but only a question of amour propre. We trust that our Government will urge the' duty of arbitration most strongly on the two nations. As an arbitrator none better than President Roosevelt could be found. America simpathises with both these free communities, and has no shadow of a selfish interest in the case. As we go to press the Conference at Karlstad is still in session, and we shall refuse to believe that compromiseis impossible till it actually breaks up. Both
Sweden and Norway must remember that, whatever the merits of the dispute, the civilised world will regard the State which fires the first shot or takes the first aggressive step as guilty of a great crime.
