The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-25
CONSUL EXPLAINS
DR.. DUMBA'S ERROR
Schwcgcl Says Envoy Thought
st. Louis "Mcagher" Was
ArmOur's Checker"
REPORT SHOWS MISTAKE

The confusion Of the names of two
prominent American exporters and inn
porters In the letter which the Austro-
Hungarian Ambassador, Dr. Dumba,
meant to reach Foreign Minister Won
Burian at Vienna. through James r. J.
Archibald as messenger. and in which
DIR. Dumba referred to President Wilson
as having a "self-willed temperament"
but Influenced by Col. House." was ex-
planned last night at the Hotel Biltmore
by DIR. John II. schwegel. Austrian Con-
sui at ST. Louis.
Or. schwegel has been named along
with Capt. Franz Won Papcn, German
military attache. and Austrian Consul
General Won Nuber Of New York as being
liable to be compelled to leave this oun-
try. The st. Louis Consul ridicules such
reports.
The mistaken use OF the name OF
Meagher in DR.. Dumba's letter led TO
much speculation In Washington az to
whom the Austrian diplomat referred
On the subject OF, the note OF protest
against the British interference with
shipping Ambassador Dumba wrote in
the intercepted letter.
The feeling which obtains among the
great American importers and exporters
was accurately represented III Mr..
Meagher's speech. Meagher is one Of
the principal exporters OF the United
states. for he Is a partner In the great
Chicago firm OF Armour 4 Co.. who. with
the Arm OF Swift. control the meat mar
ket OF the whole Western Hemisphere.
MIR. Meagher, whom | recently met on a
Yacht and whose acquaintance ! had al
ready made in Chicago, absolutely re-
CARDS England's acts as arbitrary
Com promi-e Oner Refused.
Then followed expressions by Or.
Dumoa concerning the detention by the
British Government of ships carrying
$4,000, 600 worth Of meat consigned
to Swedish ports. and his reference to
the refusal OF MIR Meagher and his
companions"-the shippers OF the meat
to accept a lame compromise"
which. he said. the English had offered
repeatedly.
After reading Dr. Dumba's published
letter Arthur Meeker OF Chicago. vice
president OF Armour n CO.. issued a
Hat denial Of the statement OF the AM
oassador that he regarded England's
acts as arbitrary. While admitting he
was the person Or. Dunba referred TO
In the matter Of the meat shipments
Mr.. Meeker declared he expected fair
treatment from England in the matter
or the detained cargoes of meat. Mr..
Mecker said he had recently met Or.
Dumba on his IMr. Meeker'sD yacht
and on former occasions in Chicago.
II made no such statement as Or.
Dumb claims" Mr.. Meeker vas quoted
as saying In chicago dispatches. 'Tha
Is absolutely false"
DR.. Schwegel now explains all OF this
confusion. II was not Mr.. Meeker Of
Chicago to whom ambassador Dumba
intended to refer. but Arthur +.
Meagher Of st. Louis. president OF the
Charles H.. Wyman Company. a large
custom house brokerage corporation
with headquarters in ST. Louis and Of
fices in New York. who made the speech
to which DIR. Dumbs referred as ac-
curately representing the feeling among
American importers over the British
interference with American shipping.
Copy Of speech Enclosed.
\ copy OF Mr.. Meagher's speech was
attached to a formal report Of 81. Louis
Consul Schwegel to the Austrian En-
bassy which Dr. Dumba included among
the documents entrusted to Archibald.
This speech bore out the statements
made by Or, SChwegcl in his report as
To the effects Of the British blockade
and ave an account OF the formation
~ a committee to act in conjunction
with a committee OF Eastern importers
who We're sitting AZ the Hotel BiltmJIe
az the time TO protest against the block
AIDE by Great Britain. ~. Svhwegel's
report; was dated Angus. II. 1915.
Arthur T. Meagher recently headed a
body of importers, chiefly from the mid
die West. who subscribed large sums
and contemplated the purchase Of sew
sral OF the informed" North German
Lloyd liners for IN. purpose % convey
ing to his country 81 Goa. GOO worth Of
American owned goods which have been
in warehouses In Germany and Austria
since abe var began.
The State Department at Washington
sanctioned the dealings with the North
German Lloyd officials. which were con-
Quoted by Mi. Meagher for the import
ers, aud the outcome of which Is still in
doubt.