Many people are saying that King Oscar would not make a fair umpire, and
that he would lean to the side of England in every matter that came up.

A treaty was made in Stockholm, in 1855, between Sweden and Norway, and
France and England, which they say binds King Oscar to agree with England.

This treaty said that the King of Sweden agreed not to sell to Russia, or
allow her to use, any portion of his kingdom; and that if Russia made any
offers for land, the King of Sweden was to tell England and France at
once.

England and France, in return for this, promised to help Sweden with men
and ships in case of any trouble with Russia.

This treaty is not binding any longer. France has put it aside, and has
made friends with Russia on her own account. It would not be possible for
her to keep to her agreement if she wished to.

The old agreement being broken, England and Sweden will have to make a new
one, to bind them together again.

Nothing has been heard of such a treaty, so it is to be supposed that none
exists.

In this case, there is no reason why Oscar of Sweden should not be the
umpire chosen.

It would, of course, be more agreeable to us if the umpire were not a
European ruler. England would be sure to object to an American umpire, and