The poor little State seems likely to lose another of
its depen- dencies. The people of Iceland, who have long complained of Danish management of their affairs, alleging that their revenue is abstracted, now seem determined to obtain a new constitution or proclaim a republic. They want an independent Parliament, -total exemption from any tax to defray expenditure caused by the Danish Government, a Minister responsible to their own Par- liament, and only a personal connection with Denmark. They demand, in fact, the Repeal of the Union, but are not likely to obtain it. Denmark has force enough to cut off Iceland from the world, while the Icelanders run the tremendous risk of the island being sold to the Germans for a penal settlement. They have, we believe, a grievance about their taxation, but it is scarcely sufficient to justify a passive rebellion, and must be capable of cure.
Previous page
