Sweden's Complaisance
No one can doubt that on a short view menace pays in international affairs. Sweden has afforded the latest example of that. Lamentably deficient in the independence of spirit which all Norwegians except a minority of quislings have unhesitatingly displayed, she has assented, apparently without hesitation, to the passage across her territory of German troops on their way to fight against Russia, and thus indirectly against Britain. That stands glaringly contrasted with her refusal to allow British forces passage in order to help Finland (a fellow-member with Sweden of the League of Nations) when that country was wantonly attacked by Russia in 1939. It is, of course, easy to argue that Germany will react brutally if Sweden refuses, whereas Britain will be tolerant whatever hap- pens. The argument, however justified, is not edifying. And, in fact, Sweden is expecting considerably too much if she believes that her subsequent relations with us will be un- affected by her action now. The protestation that this is an isolated demand by Germany and that the case will not recur is completely unconvincing. There has never been a greater adept in the thin-end-of-the-wedge policy in all history than Hitler, and for Sweden, having admitted the thin end, to baulk at the thick would be phenomenal.
Previous page
