THE DEFENCE AND FINANCIAL POLICY OF SCANDINAVIA.
[To THE EDITOR or TER " SPECTATOR."]
Brea,—What to all outsiders has long appeared the only foreign policy possible for the three Scandinavian kingdoms has at last been adopted by them, not only in word but in deed, viz., a policy of no alliances or understandings of any kind whatever with any of the neighbouring Powers, and an effective defence policy against any infringement of their neutrality. They have, in fact, seen clearly that their salva- tion lies not in treaties or conventions guaranteeing their neutrality, but in their own hands and strength according to their financial means. What the dark clouds on the political horizon were unable to accomplish a number of Swedish and Danish patriotio associations and defence pamphlets, not to speak of the disinterested advice given them by some of their neighbours, this often having quite the opposite effect desired, seem to have accomplished.
Each of the three northern countries has now issued an official statement against any such open or secret alliances, combinations, or understandings, and each one is putting its house in order.
The Norwegian Storthing has voted one million pounds for naval defence.
In Sweden a similar amount has been subscribed for by the public during the last half-year owing to the new Liberal Cabinet postponing the carrying out of some of the more important items in the Naval Defence Act, just passed by their Conservative predecessors. A coast defence ironclad was to have been built, and this will still be the case in Sweden, but only owing to this gift of the Swedish public.
This national subscription seems to have roused the slum. bering national spirit of Sweden. Denmark is at last in a fair way to see the Copenhagen land and naval defences com- pleted, and stringent measures have been taken to guard the Danish capital against a sudden night attack.
With Copenhagen in the hands of an invader all resistance in the rest of Denmark would be practically useless.
A number of smaller naval craft, specially suited for Danish waters, destroyers, submarines, &c., have been procured, and the new naval station at the southern point of Zealand is nearing completion.
Thanks to private enterprise and the patriotic endeavours of some Danes—in the teeth of ridicule and scathing attacks showered on their disinterested work by a section of the Danish Radical Press !—some aeroplanes, hydro-aeroplanes, and military balloons have been bought and presented to the Danish War and Navy Offices.
All over Denmark a number of "recoil" gun companies have sprung up, these cyclist or motor-cyclist corps carrying a number of these modern weapons. The Danish military authorities are doing everything in their power to assist this movement and to organize these volunteer corps on a semi. military basis. One most important factor in " that change which has come over the spirit of their dreams " must not be overlooked, viz., the establishment in February last of " The British Bank of Northern Commerce " in London, with Lord Grey as Chairman.
Three leading Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish banks joined hands with the London City and Midland Bank and with some prominent French, Russian, Dutch, and Belgian banks in founding this long-desired financial link between London and the three northern capitals on the lines of a similar institution opened in Paris a few years ago.
Now when German banks—for the present at least—are unable to finance the continued growth of commercial enter- prise in Scandinavia, this new bank may be destined to play a not unimportant role as a fresh link between Great Britain and her Scandinavian cousins.—I am, Sir, &c., X.
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