The Opposition in Sweden have presented counter-pro- peseta to the
Government's scheme for naval defence, as they are not satisfied that the scheme is adequate. A remarkable fact of the movement is the determination of the peasants— who, as the Times correspondent says in Wednesday's paper, have been accustomed to express their mind boldly ever since the days of the Vasas—to organize a demonstration in favour of the counter-proposals. Their plan is to march to Stockholm and inform the King that they are willing to bear the burden of increased armaments for defence, and that in their opinion stronger measures should be taken at once. Twenty thousand peasants are expected to take part in the demonstration. This movement is comparable with the vote by which the Swiss democracy voluntarily increased the term of their military service. Both are acts of dutiful self-sacrifice which might make one proud to belong to either of the countries capable of them. We commend them to the attention of the opponents of compulsory military training in Great Britain, and of those who think that no enthusiasm can ever be aroused in working men except by a direct appeal to self-interest.
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