rnment could not endanger the desired
suffrage for men. In 1907 a petition from 142,128 women was presented
to the Parliament. The Labor Party made woman suffrage a part of their
program, the Lindhagen group supported it, a number of bills were
brought in but all was in vain. At a woman suffrage mass meeting in
1908 in Stockholm thousands were turned away. Meetings were held
throughout the country. The Liberals and Social Democrats put woman
suffrage in their programs. At the opening of Parliament the King's
speech contained a few favorable words. Leading members conferred with
the Executive Committee of the National Suffrage Association, with the
result that it arranged a meeting at the Grand Hotel with many members
of Parliament present, who were addressed by prominent women and
seemed much impressed, but all suffrage bills were lost.

The well-organized suffragists then went actively into the campaign
and worked to defeat their opponents. As a result a majority was
elected to the Second Chamber in favor of giving the suffrage to
women. A deputation of 35 was granted an audience by the new King,
Gustav V, and he expressed the hope that the time was near when their
claims could be regarded. In February, 1909, the Government's bill
embodying universal suffrage for men finally passed both Chambers and
it included eligibility to the municipal offices for the women who
could vote for them, which the suffrage association had worked for.
The next April the first woman suffrage bill was passed by the Second
Chamber. In 1910 37 women were chosen for the councils in 34 towns,
which partly elect the First Chamber.

The situation looked so favorable that the National Association
invited the International Woman Suffrage Alliance to hold its congress
in Stockholm in 1911 for the effect which this large and important
body would have on public sentiment. After this had been arranged, the
Swedish women learned to their disappointment and indignation that the
Government did not propose to introduce a woman suffrage bill this
year, as they wished first to see the effect of the new universal
franchise law for men. Besides, the investigation of woman suffrage
was not completed! A representative Men's League for Woman Suffrage
was formed. A new Second Chamber was to be elected and as the suffrage
bill would have to be acted upon by two Parliaments there would have
to be a wait of several years. A bill was presented and passed the
Lower H