The Times of Monday publishes the second of two papers
by Mr. Lucien Wolf on "The Northern Question." They contain an historical argument on the importance to the peace of Europe of preserving the free right of access to the Baltic, and of excluding any strong and aggressive Power from the Low Countries. The freedom of the Baltic postulates absolutely the maintenance of the Scandinavian Powers and Denmark in their present territories. And the Low Countries contain so many ports of naval importance quite near to England that a strong naval Power in possession of them would be a continual source of anxiety to us. As it is, Belgium and Holland have no conspicuous ambitions beyond prosecuting their growing commerce, and their presence threatens no one. Of course there is no visible danger at present of any Power trying to upset this convenient status quo in Northern Europe, but Mr. Wolf thinks that a period of peace might be well employed in putting the matter beyond danger. As regards the Baltic question, Norway is the only Power whose territories are guaranteed. In the case of the Low Countries, Belgium is neutralised by the Act of 1839, but Holland has no security. What is required is a Treaty laying down the integrity and neutrality of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Holland, and Belgium. The Treaty would have to be between Britain, France, Russia, and Germany, and would do for Northern Europe what the Treaty between Britain, France, and Spain has done for the Mediterranean and the East Atlantic. We can only say that such a Treaty would be of the greatest value if it could be accomplished without exciting distrust. If any Power thought that we were trying to jockey her into an unwilling acquiescence in a scheme more for our advantage than hers, we should do more harm than good by making the proposal.
Previous page
