A Crisis in Norway by O. A. Johnson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Mar 29, 1906

A Crisis in Norway

By O. A. Johnson

O. A. JOHNSON

Norway, with an area of 15,289 square miles—more than twice the size of Massachusetts—and with a population of 2,000,917, passed through a crisis during the middle and latter part of 1905—a revolution which was without a parallel in the annals of history.

Of all northern countries, Norway was the last to be peopled. Its original inhabitants were in all probability a nomadic people, perhaps of the same stock as the Laps, who now live in northern Norway. Later came the Northmen, of Germanic stock, and took possession of the country. First in the Middle Ages we find Norway coming out of the legendary into the light of history.

The country was originally divided into fylker, of which there were thirty-one. Each fylke consisted of many families, and had its own chief, or king. The Viking period lasted from about 800 to 1000 A. D. After a ten-years' war with these small kings, Harald Haafager succeeded in becoming sole ruler of Norway, at the bloody sea fight at Hafsfjord, 872 A. D. Olav Trygvesen (995-1000 A. D.) introduced Christianity into Norway by force. Olav Haraldsson the Saint (1015-1030) confirmed the Christian religion, though not without compulsion. Magnus Lagaboter, a law reviser, reigned from 1263 to 1280. He published a general statute-book for Norway, which served as an authority in law for four hundred years. Some of its statutes are still in force.

Between the years 1319 and 1335 Norway was united with Sweden, under the reign of King Magnus Erikssen. But in the year 1355 he was compelled to abdicate the throne of Norway, in favor of his son, Haakon VI. This Haakon was married to the Danish princess Margreta, and by her he had a son, called Olav, who became king of Denmark, and upon the death of Haakon VI, in 1380, he inherited the kingdom of Norway. Thus Norway was united with Denmark, under one king, a union which lasted till 1814, or for four hundred and thirty-four years.

By the treaty of peace at Kiel in 1814, Denmark was compelled to give up Norway to Sweden, and thus ended the union between Norway and Denmark. But Norway, not being consulted in this arrangement, was not willing to comply with it. A meeting was called of the representatives, and a constitution was

drafted and adopted at Eidsvold, on May 17, 1814, and Kristian Fredrick was unanimously elected king of Norway. But Sweden, not willing to yield Norway, given her by the treaty of Kiel, began hostilities, with favorable results. King Kristian Fredrick was compelled to abdicate the throne of Norway a few months after his election. The king of Sweden promised, if elected king of Norway, to govern in harmony with the constitution adopted at Eidsvold, only with such amendments as were made necessary by the union of Norway with Sweden under one monarch. The first article of the amended constitution reads thus: “The kingdom of Norway is a free, self-existent, undivided, and independent kingdom, united with Sweden under one king. Its government is a limited monarchy.”

These amendments were adopted on Nov. 14, 1814, and on the same day the Swedish king, Carl XIII, was elected king of Norway. Since then the kingdoms of Norway and Sweden have been under the rule of one monarch until very recently. This union was understood differently by these two people, and was, therefore, the cause of much misunderstanding and, consequently, many dissensions between them. This state of affairs continued till June 7, 1905, when the Storting of Norway felt itself justified in taking the necessary steps to dissolve this union.

The causes leading to this dissolution may be briefly stated as follows: During May, 1905, the Storting of Norway unanimously passed a law providing for the establishment of their own foreign consuls. The king refused to approve of this law. The Statsraad—state advisers—thereupon offered their resignation, as they did not feel justified to continue as his advisers when he refused to follow their counsels. The king refused to accept their resignation, and he refused to try to organize another Statsraad. Since the king failed to organize a new Statsraad in harmony with the constitution, Norway was thus left without a constitutional government, because the king failed to do his constitutional duty. Therefore, on June 7, the Storting adopted the following: “Since His Majesty does not regard it possible to give the country a new government—Statsraad—the constitutional kingly authority has thereby ceased to be effective,” and consequently the union between Norway and Sweden was thereby dissolved. At the same time, King Oscar was kindly asked to permit one of his sons to occupy the throne of Norway, as its sole ruler. In the meantime, the Storting authorized the Statsraad to govern in harmony with the constitution, as during an interregnum. This action of dissolution on the part of Norway came unexpectedly to Sweden.

After June 7 came days of suspense. Norway was prepared to make any offer necessary in its defense. Army and navy were ready to defend the country, because a break might be expected, rather than negotiations. It balanced long between peace and war.

Those were eventful days for Norway and Sweden. Religious meetings were held on the boundary line, in which Norwegians and Swedes united in worship, praying that God would so overrule all that all might end in a peaceful manner. None of the people were anxious for war. The press of Norway sustained the action of the Storting, though generally in very moderate and calm tones, in their articles touching this affair. The suspense was great all over the country. But it should be said, to the honor of the liberal party of Sweden, who have the future before them, that on account of the wise stand taken by them, it became possible to arrive at a peaceful solution of this rupture. To satisfy Sweden that the dissolution was the universal wish of Norway, an election was held on August 13, resulting in 368,200 votes in favor of the dissolution, and only 184 against it.

Then followed the negotiations between the representatives from the two countries, at Carlstadt, Sweden, from August 31 to September 23. During this time the suspense was great. Preparations for war were going on, and soldiers on both sides were called to the boundary line between Norway and Sweden. Believing Christians prayed much that the angel of peace might influence the delegates to arrive at a peaceful solution of this difficult problem, and that thus peace might be preserved between these two related people.

The negotiations ended in a careful solution of the whole matter. Both sides had to yield some points. Norway had to disarm and demolish three of the forts erected near the boundary line. A neutral zone, about ten miles on each side of the boundary line, was agreed upon. Various disputes that might arise were to be left to an arbitration, and Sweden was to acknowledge the dissolution of the union between the two countries.

But as King Oscar was not willing that any of his sons should occupy the throne of Norway, the Storting thereupon communicated with Prince Carl, of Denmark, to ascertain if he would take Norway's vacant throne. He replied that he would, providing such was the wish of the people, and not of a political party only. By another general election, November 12 and 13, about seventy-nine per cent voted in favor of Prince Carl; the rest voted in favor of a republic, without any ill will to this prince. On November 18 the Storting voted unanimously in favor of Prince Carl, of Denmark, for king of Norway. By the permission of his grandfather, King Christian IX, this prince accepted the offer of Norway's throne, under the name of King Haakon VII.

On November 25 this newly elected king arrived with the queen and young prince in Christiania, the capital of Norway, which was finely decorated and illuminated. They were welcomed by many, many thousands from all parts of Norway. All political parties vied with one another in welcoming and honoring him and his wife, Queen Maud.

The year 1905 will be a memorable one for Norway and the other Scandinavian countries. To dismiss a king, dissolve a union between two nations, and place another king upon the throne, without war or shedding of blood, is certainly without parallel in the annals of history. But King Oscar II and the Liberals of Sweden deserve much credit for the peaceful solution of this revolution. The premier of Norway, with others, deserves credit and honor for the calm, careful, and wise manner in which the political affairs of Norway were conducted under these trying and difficult circumstances.

Now, according to all outward appearances, Norway has a time of peace and prosperity before her. But those who look upon these events in the light of prophecy, can truly see that the angels of peace have indeed held the winds of war in Scandinavia during the past summer. To the believers in the sealing message of Rev. 7:1-4, this time of peace means much. It means that God is at work to prevent war, that we may have a time of peace during which we

can warn the world of its coming doom.

During these troublous times in Norway it has not been so favorable to work for the message. Some of our workers in the office, as well as other brethren, were mustered into service. The minds of the people were so occupied with war and the political disturbances that it was more difficult to call their attention to the Word of God. We are, therefore, very thankful for peace. We find people in many cities and localities who are willing to hear, and in many places in Norway people accept the truth through the reading of our publications and the Bible. Success is also attending our ministers. Canvassers have found it quite difficult to sell many books this summer. We are, however, of good courage, and shall labor hard while we have peace.