Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/355

 1899.] Norway. — Attitude toward Sweden. [347

was hailed in Norway by the Conservative party with satisfaction, as likely to improve the relations between the two countries. The new War Minister was understood to be in favour of universal compulsory service and a further extension of the fortifications, more especially those of Northern Sweden.

Vin. NORWAY.

The year 1899 in Norway was somewhat a disappointment to those who were looking for the dawn of a new era. The doings and tactics of the Eadical party subsequent to their getting into power seemed, in the opinion of many of their supporters, to fall far short of the promises and protestations in which they indulged whilst fighting for office. On the other hand, it should not be forgotten that the suffrage question had been settled in full accordance with the Eadical programme, and that the principle of parliamentary Government had been fully recognised. With their all-powerful majority the Eadicals might, however, have been expected to have added to their achievements during the year.

Previous to the reassembling of the Storthing after the Christmas recess, M. Stang, at a meeting at Frederikshald, spoke rather hopefully of the political outlook, from a Conserva- tive point of view. He declared his firm belief in a peaceful solution of the conflict on the Union question on a moderate Conservative basis. The standpoint of the Left was impossible, and could only be carried by adopting hostile measures towards Sweden, which, he felt sure, the Norwegian nation would never sanction. Should the Left now become too aggressive, great difficulties would arise, and misfortunes would follow. A truce was necessary also for the purpose of healing the wounds which the resolution about the "pure " Norwegian flag had in- flicted upon all sections of the Swedish nation. Time would bring acquiescence, as well as the solution of the other Unionist difficulties. This statement gave the keynote of the Conservative views, and would also appear to have, to some extent at least, influenced the Eadical leaders. These showed themselves strangely reticent on various occasions, when plain speaking and moral courage were looked for by many of their followers, but discretion was much in favour with them throughout the whole of the long session. Notwithstand- ing the absence of any heated political obstruction, the legisla- tive work done was very moderate in both quality and quantity, and the Government displayed no great business capacity to compensate for the political languor. The Eadical majority as a body adopted a passive attitude, and rather shrank from than coveted the opportunities which offered themselves for bringing forward the high-sounding resolutions which were conspicuously paraded during the electioneering campaign.

The financial doings of the Storthing were somewhat