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Accepting this conclusion as correct, it follows that we
should find some practicable means of realizing it; and if
hindrances do meet us, we shall, on nearer inspection, find
that they are not great, but with hearty goodwill and
perseverance may be overcome.
This is my conviction.
In drawing attention to the subjoined, I would further
bring to mind that the seat of war in Europe is limited in
the proportion in which the number of neutralized States
grows, a condition of things which may little by little in an
essential degree impede or prevent the outbreak of war;
that the peculiar situation of Sweden (greatly superior, for
example, to Belgium or Switzerland) must naturally facilitate
its neutralization; that, lastly, the neutrality proposed does
not stand in the way of arranging our own defence, but the
rather, in case Parliament rejects his Majesty’s army bill,
adapts itself powerfully to contribute to a right solution of
the Defence question; and so much the more, as all suspicion
that that old vexed question aims perhaps at something
more and other than defence of the country would
thereby disappear.
For this reason—and since we cannot expect that other
powers should take the first step and offer us what we do
not ask for—I respectfully propose:—
That Parliament shall in writing express to the king its
desire that it might please his Majesty to initiate, amongst
the states with which Sweden has diplomatic relations,
negotiations for bringing about a permanent guaranteed[1] neutrality
of Sweden, in harmony with the principles of modern
international law.
K. P. Arnoldson.
Stockholm, February, 1883.
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