ir work for undermining
the Union, that is, never to acknowledge the true motive--piety towards
the Union--when the King opposed the one-sided disloyal demands of
Norway, but instead always point to Swedish interests as the ruling
motive. And nevertheless, it is certain, that no Swedish-Norwegian King
has kept in view the Union, and _all it implied on all sides_, more
faithfully than King OSCAR II.

_They closed all roads by which the King would be able to decide the
Consular Question in a manner acceptable from a Union point of view; by
this means, they forced the King to exercise his veto--and then they
cast the responsibility of the revolution on him and Sweden._ This is the
basis of the tactics of the Norwegian Revolution. The characteristicness
of this is sufficiently evident.

[Sidenote: _The decision in the Storthing._]

The debate on the proposal of the Special Committee in the Storthing was
fixed for the day after the National Anniversary, May 17th. National
revelries were to precede to encourage and excite. In Christiania,
especially, the day was celebrated in such a manner, that there could be
no doubt as to what was in the wind. NANSEN used big words about Norway,
and big words against Sweden, and in the presence of several thousand
persons, a memorial wreath was laid--as on several previous years--on
a Colonel KREBS' grave; during the short strife between Sweden and Norway
in 1814, the man had succeeded in repulsing a Swedish regiment!

These imposing preparations were followed by the decision of the
Storthing. It was first proposed to decide unanimously without any
debate. But there were a few members in the Storthing who ventured to
protest in words--in actions no one dared to protest.

With a frankness evidently embarrassing to all present, Mr HAGERUP
pointed out the two only possible alternatives with reference to the
decision; to retract, or to rupture. The latter alternative he evidently
found most acceptable, and in Norway's real interest, he warned them as
to what the issue might be. He proposed that the decision with respect to
these eventualities--which might exceed both the Constitution and the
Act of Union--should be deferred till after the new elections, as the
Constitution with an almost torturing emphasis insists on caution when a
change in the government system is contemplated. Even the rest of the few
in the minority made known their different views, and among them the
Shipowner JOeRGE