eat 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 wh