SWEDEN 190 SWEDENBORCx, EMANUEL cree prohibiting exportation to any bel- ligerent country of war munitions or of any material which might be used in their manufacture. A second conference between the rulers of the Scandinavian countries was held in February, 1915. A protest was published against the creation of a war zone by Germany. Throughout the progress of the war there were complaints against both sides on the part of Sweden for alleged viola- tion of her neutrality. In January, 1916, the king urged the strengthening of the Swedish military establishment in order that the country might be prepared against any possible violation of its neu- trality. As a result of the Russian revolution in 1917, new problems were faced by Sweden. Chief of these were the recognition of the new republic of Finland. The internal disturbances in that country which were strongly related to Sweden by national and political ties, were reflected in Sweden. It was finally decided, however, to maintain strict neu- trality between the Soviet Government and Finland. Following the close of the war Sweden was greatly affected by the German revolution. Encouraged by its results the Independent Socialist Party made attempts for the abolishment of the monarchial form of government and the establishment of a republic. This agitation quickly subsided, however, on the promise of reforms by the govern- ment. These included a new election law and the granting of the franchise to men and women on equal terms. In Feb- ruary, 1918, a controversy arose between Sweden and Finland for the possession of the Aland Islands. These had been occupied by Germany after the collapse of Russia, and therefore their disposition remained in the hands of the Peace Con- ference. Their population, which was purely Swedish, had appealed after the separation of Finland from Russia to the King of Sweden for annexation. The disposition of these islands had not been settled in 1921. In May, 1919, full na- tional suffrage was granted to women, who since 1909 had enjoyed municipal suffrage. In March, 1920, a cabinet composed entirely of Socialists was se- lected by Hjalmar Branting, prime min- ister. This was probably the first in- stance in political history when a Socialist cabinet was in power. The cabinet was accepted by the king. SWEDENBORG, EMANUEL, founder of the Church of the New Jerusalem, and one of the most distinguished men of science of the 18th century; born in Stockholm, Sweden, Jan. 29, 1688. He was carefully educated under the care of his father, Bishop of Skara, in W. Gothland, in the principles of the Lutheran Church. After pursuing his studies and taking the degree of Ph.D. at Upsal, he went on his travels in 1710, and visited the universities of England, Holland, France, and Germany. On his return, he was appointed assessor extra- ordinary to the College of Mines, and in 1719 was ennobled, on which occasion his name was changed from Swedberg to Swedenborg. He had in the previous year achieved a great engineering feat, in the transport, over a mountain dis- trict, of several galleys and boats for service at the siege of Frederickshall. In 1721, he again traveled to examine mines, etc. He continued his scientific studies till the year 1743, when, as he himself affirms, a new era of his life commenced, and he was permitted to hold intercourse with the inhabitants of the invisible world. In 1747 he resigned his office in the mining college, retired from public life, and spending his time alter- nately in Sweden and in England, de- voted himself to the publication of his theological works. They are filled with EMANUEL SWEDENBORG illustrations from the scientific and metaphysical lore of their author, and present a remarkable combination of science and theology. Though it is fre- quently affirmed that Swedenborg labored under a delusion, his writings show no symptoms of aberration. He was always regarded as a learned and pious man; and it would appear that the story of his insanity rests for its sup- port on the word of a single enemy. He was never married. The believers in his doctrines are now become a numerous body (see Swedenborgians). Of his very numerous works, only a few of the most important can be named : The "Dffidaperboreus" (1716-1718) ; "Philo- sophical and Mineralogical Works" (1734) ; "CEconomia Regni Animalis" (Economy of the Animal Kingdom) and "Regnum Animale" (The Animal King-
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