The Swedish-Norwegian Union Crisis

There are many typographical and orthographical errors in the original. They are listed at the end of this etext. No corrections have been made.

In the second part of the book lines of dashes are used to represent omissions in excerpts. There are represented in this etext by [-- -- --] or [-- --].

THE SWEDISH-NORWEGIAN UNION CRISIS

A History With Documents

by

K. NORDLUND PH D.

Upsala & Stockholm Almqvist & Wiksell Ltd Printed by Almqvist & Wiksell Ltd, Upsala 1905

Author's Introductory Remarks.

The following work is intended to give an insight into the Swedish-Norwegian Crisis. It has been the Author's endeavour to attain this object, partly by a condensed account of the events of the last few years, partly by a collection of suitable extracts from documents referring to this crisis. Choice in the last items has been confined to the most important ones. Touching the Consular negotiations only the discussions on the most disputed points are given.

In dealing with some of the statements in Nansen's brochure the author does not intend a exhaustive criticism of the said work, but has only tried to show, by a few instances, the treatment pure and distinct facts have been submitted to, in these days, by Norwegian agitation. The number of instances could be multiplied many times over. If the following representation has caught the tone of present feeling in Sweden, it must be excused. The Author is, however, convinced that this has not disadvantageously affected his account of the actual facts of the case.

Upsala. August 1905.

The Author.

CONTENTS.

A. History. Sid. I. Reasons for Union Crisis. Development of Sweden's and Norway's different reform programmes 1-8

II. Contents of the charge of 1885 in Sec. 11 of Sweden's Constitution. First development of Consular Question. Union Committee 1895-98 8-19

III. Consular Committee of 1902. Birth and contents of Communique 19-28

IV. Treaties on the identical laws 29-38

V. Norwegian accusations caused by breakdown of Consular Negatiations 38-46

VI. Development of Crisis this year until the time of the Extra-Ordinary session of Swedish Riksdag 46-64

VII. Supposed and real causes of Norwegian revolution 64-67

B. Acts.

1. Acts from Norway's "Grundlov" 71

2. Acts from "Riksakten". (Special laws relating to Union) 72

3. Preparatory agreement, in Consular question, between Swedish and Norwegian Cabinet Councils (so called Communique) 73

4. Extract from Norwegian Government's proposal referring to identical laws 75

5. Extract from Bostroem's reasons for identical laws 76

6. Extract from Hagerup's Answer 77

7. Extract from Swedish Government's proposal regarding identical laws 78

8. Extract from Norwegian Cabinet Council's Memorandum on account of this proposal 79

9. Extract from Swedish Cabinet's answer 82

10. Report on proceedings of Cabinet Council held on 7th February 1905 83

11. Crown Prince-Regent's address to Special Committee of Storthing 85

12. Report on proceedings of Cabinet Council held on 5th April 1905 86

13. Motion on Union Question in Swedish Riksdag's Upper Chamber 87

14. Motion on Union Question in Swedish Riksdag's Lower Chamber 88

15. Norwegian Government's "proposal" of 17th April 1905 89

16. Report on proceedings of Cabinet Council held on 25th April 1905 92

17. Swedish Riksdag's Statement on Union Question 93

18. Norwegian Minister's Notice of resignation 94

19. Report on proceedings of Norwegian Cabinet Council 27th May 1905 94

20. King's telegraphic protest against Norwegian Government's Statement 97

21. Norwegian Ministers' announcement to King of resignation 97

22. King's telegraphic protest 98

23. Storthing's President's proposal for conclusion 7th June 1905 99

24. Storthing's address to King Oscar 99

25. King's telegraphic protest 101

26. Report of proceedings of Cabinet Council held on 9th June 1905 101