No. 591.
Mr. Stevens to Mr. Evarts.
Stockholm, April 20, 1880. (Received May 7.)
Sir: Of late the political and court circles of the Swedish capital, usually so even and placid, have been somewhat moved by a change of [Page 935] ministry and by the circumstances and incidents which led to this result. For some time, in well-informed circles, such a change has not been thought improbable. Early in the session of the Diet, which opened in January, there were strong indications that, at least in the lower house, the government would not command a majority on a measure to which the ministry attachéd much importance, and the failure of which Barou De Geer, the premier, and his leading associates, were to consider as sufficient reason for sending to the King their resignations. This measure was the army bill, which provides for the extension of the period of military enrollment to include those from twenty-one to thirty years, instead of from twenty-one to twenty-five, as under existing law.
Some ten days since this measure was defeated in the lower house by a decisive vote. Soon alter the ministers handed their resignations to His Majesty. Of course there are some other reasons than the failure of the army bill for the promptness with which the ministry arrived at this determination. Its leading members had held their positions for a somewhat lengthy period, and probably were not reluctant to lay off the harness. What is termed the “Peasant’s party” for several sessions of the Diet has resisted some of the appropriations for military and naval purposes which the government has deemed necessary. The party of opposition has gained strength of late, its force being largely from the rural sections of the country, having been augmented and vitalized by the desire to modify the existing taxation, wishing to impose more upon the cities and large towns, which have of late years, as in most other countries, increased in wealth and population more rapidly than the country districts. The president of the second chamber, Count Aroid Posse, being deemed the leader of the “opposition,” the King called on him to form a ministry.
After several days of deliberation a new cabinet was organized and announced on the 17th instant, composed as follows: Aroid R. F. Posse, minister of state and provisionally of foreign affairs; H. Forssell, of finance; C. G. Molmström, of public w:orship and education; N. H. V. von Steyern, of justice; C. G. von Otter, of the navy; O. F. Taube, of war; F. L. S. Hederstjerna, of the interior; and C. G. Hammorskjöld, minister without department, but taking part in cabinet deliberations. It is rumored that Baron D. A. G. Bildt, now minister plenipotentiary at Berlin, and father of the Swedish secretary of legation at Washington, will take the department of foreign affairs as soon as the formalities of his recall can be passed through.
None of the new ministry belonged to its predecessor, except Forssell and Molmström, who hold the same positions as before; Count Posse, the minister of state, is a lawyer by profession and practice; is acquainted with public affairs, and has strong qualities, though he has never before occupied a seat in the cabinet.
Baron Bildt has had extensive acquaintance with foreign affairs; is regarded as well qualified for the position he isto assume. Forssell has the confidence of the Diet and the financial public as an efficient officer, and the other members of the new ministry are believed to have the strength and characteristics fitted for the places to which they are called.
The retiring ministry retain the respect of the country in a marked degree. Baron Louis De Geer, chief of the old cabinet, has been a minister nearly twenty years in all, and is regarded as the foremost statesman of the country. He is understood to be in a large degree the author of the present constitution of Sweden, which was adopted in 1866, audit was very much owing to his good management and the public confidence in his character that so important a change in the fundamental [Page 936] law went into successful operation. A man of great simplicity and modesty, as well as of marked integrity and firmness, lie still commands the esteem of the public, even from those who differ from him as to his policy and measures. I think he does not regret the opportunity to honorably get rid of administrative responsibility.
General Björnstjerna, who retired from the department of foreign affairs, has occupied the place since 1872, to the great satisfaction of the foreign legation in Stockholm, and to the credit of his government. He was formerly minister to Russia, and it is believed that he will be sent as embassador to Berlin, when Baron Bildt assumes the duties of the department of foreign affairs of Sweden and Norway.
I have, &c.,