DENMARK, SWEDEN, NORWAY, HOLLAND, AND LUXEMBURG
The reasons for the neutrality which the three Scandinavian kingdoms
have maintained in the Great European War are chiefly economic and
geographical. Neither one alone nor all three combined are strong
enough in men or money to take sides with either the Allies or the
Central European Powers. Furthermore through their continued
neutrality they have been able to reap a rich harvest by means of an
immensely extended trade with practically all of the belligerents,
especially, however, with England, Germany, and Russia. These
conditions of course influence chiefly the official attitude of these
countries, but have less influence on popular opinion which is more or
less subject to sentimental influences. In that direction both Denmark
and Norway lean toward the Allies, while Sweden leans toward the
Central European Powers. Denmark has never forgotten or forgiven the
mutilation which it suffered at the hands of Prussia and Austria in
1864, and which resulted in the loss of Schleswig-Holstein, a
comparatively large slice of Denmark. This resentment toward Germany
has been intensified since then by the severe measures which from time
to time have been taken against the inhabitants of northern Schleswig,
who have adhered consistently to their Danish language and customs.
Its ruling family also is closely related to the rulers of England and
Russia.
The latter may also be said of the ruling family of Norway, but in
the case of Norway matters have been somewhat complicated by its
peculiar relation to Sweden. Up to 1905 these two countries were
known as the United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway and were governed
on the basis of a very close union. In that year, however, the union
was dissolved after the Norwegians had shown for many years previous
their dislike of existing conditions. After the dissolution they
chose as their king a Prince of Denmark who is married to a sister
of King George of England; this as well as the very fact that Sweden
is leaning toward Germany is chiefly responsible for Norway's
sentimental preference for the cause of the Allies.
Sweden's tendency to support the Central European Powers is based
primarily on its fear of and hatred for Russia. The former sentiment
is due to Russia's well-known desire for a port which is ice-free
all year around and which it could, of course, acquire by the
conquest of Sweden. The latter sentiment, which has always been
strong in Sweden, has its origin in Russia's conquest of the former
Swedish province of Finland and in the oppressive and most cruel
treatment which Russia has given to the populace of this unfortunate
country which consistently have tried to adhere to their Swedish
habits and civilization. The fact that the present Queen of Sweden
is a German princess, closely related to the imperial family as well
as to some of the other German reigning families, and that this
Queen of Sweden is very popular in her adopted country, undoubtedly
also had some bearing on Sweden's attitude toward the various
countries at war.
Like Portugal and Spain, Holland of to-day is only a mere shadow of
its past glory. Most of its colonial possessions have passed out of
its hands. Those, however, that still remain are chiefly in the Far
East and are very valuable, especially Java. The possession of these
colonies by as small a country as Holland, of course, raised many
difficult problems of a financial and political nature. As a result,
Holland's participation in international politics was naturally very
restricted, and the general policy of the country was to maintain
the strictest neutrality and to keep up friendly relations with the
rest of the world. Its neutrality in the present war is based on the
same reasons. Furthermore, public sentiment is rather anti-English,
partly as a result of the resentment of English aggression during
the Napoleonic wars, which almost ended in the loss to Holland of
its colonies, and partly as a result of the intense sympathy felt
for the Boers, who are of Dutch descent, during the South African
War. At the same time they have no particularly strong liking for
Germany, suspecting it of having designs on their absolute
independence, which the Dutch guard most jealously.
The history of Holland during the last fifty years is, therefore,
concerned chiefly with internal affairs, and covers few events of
international importance. Its chief claim to international fame
rests on its selection by the other civilized nations as the center
of the international peace conferences and the seat of the
International Court of Arbitration. On May 18, 1899, the First Peace
Conference assembled at The Hague at the invitation of Czar Nicholas
II of Russia. In it there participated, besides twenty-one European
states, the United States, Mexico, China, Japan, Persia, and Siam.
During sessions lasting over ten weeks international questions of
the greatest importance, chiefly relating to the conduct of war,
were discussed. As a result the convention adopted certain
resolutions and declarations which modified warfare on land and sea,
and regulated it by means of certain rules which were to be observed
by all signatories. It also created a permanent court of
arbitration, consisting of eminent jurists from all the countries
represented, before which international disputes were to be brought
for pacific settlement. At the suggestion of the United States
(1904) the czar invited the countries to a second peace conference,
which met on June 15, 1907. Besides the former signatories, all the
South American States were represented. Its results were similar to
those of the first conference, and as the years passed by the
various countries concluded among each other a total of over 150
arbitration treaties.
In spite of being the center of the modern peace movement, Holland
found it necessary for its own protection to keep up with the
general increase in armament which was carried on in Europe. In 1913
the Coast Defense Bill provided for the fortification of Flushing
and for the expenditure of a comparatively large sum, and created
considerable discussion and some ill feeling, especially in England.
The Duchy of Luxemburg is ruled by the same dynasty that now occupies
the throne of Holland, the House of Orange-Nassau. Until 1866 it was a
member of the North German Federation, but in 1867 a conference of
the powers, held at London, declared it to be neutral territory, and
ordered the demolition of its fortifications. At that time the
succession in both Holland and Luxemburg descended in the direct male
line only. William III was King of Holland and Grand Duke of
Luxemburg. In 1879 the king's only brother and his oldest son, and in
1881 the king's second son died. This left that branch of the house
without male heirs. In 1879 William III had married a second time, and
had chosen Emma, Princess of Waldeck-Pyrmont, one of the smallest
German states. In 1880 a daughter, the present Queen Wilhelmina, was
born. As the king was aging rapidly and was not likely to have any
further issue, it became necessary to change the law of succession, in
order to prevent Holland's throne from coming into the hands of the
next male member of the House of Orange-Nassau, the Duke of Nassau,
who was practically a German prince, and, therefore, not acceptable to
Holland's people. In 1884 it was arranged that in case of lack of male
issue the succession in Holland should descend to direct female heirs.
When, therefore, William III died in 1890 his minor daughter became
queen under the regency of Queen Emma. Luxemburg, however, descended
to the Duke of Nassau, who, upon his death was succeeded by his son,
and upon the latter's death by his granddaughter, the present Grand
Duchess Marie Adelaide. Queen Wilhelmina, the idol of her people,
assumed the reins of government upon reaching her majority in 1898
after her mother's skillful regency of eight years. In 1901 she
married a German prince, Henry, Duke of Mecklenburg. This marriage was
blessed with one daughter, Princess Juliana, who is heir apparent to
the throne of Holland. Otherwise, though, it did not prove very happy,
and, therefore, did certainly not increase Dutch friendship for
Germany.