Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-10-03
Relations Are Regarded as
Somewhat TenSei Trouble
Grows Out of Bdtain's
Policy of Seizure Of Mails,
NEUTRALITY OF SWEDES
NOT LOYAL, IS CLAIM
New Point of Contact Is OUT
growth of BeIIigerent Ship
ping in Her Territorial Wa
terS, Is Report,


London, Sept 22.-The relations be-
tween sweden and the entente powers
are attracting unusual attention here
and there is every indication that the
situation threatens to become some
what tense. With the dispute as to
mail seizures still unsettled, there now
has arisen the charge by the entente
that the neutrality of Sweden is not
so loyal and impartial as it should be.
This has drawn from Stockholm a re-
ply as tart and crisp as some of the
notes in the mail controversy, which
We're characterized by Viscount Grey
as containing words not usually found
in diplomatic correspondence
Confidence is expressed in the tact
and ability of the British minister to
Sweden, Sir Esme- Howard to handle
Great Brtain's interests, for he al
ready has done much to smooth over
many points Of friction that has aris-
en- since the war began. Sir Esme has
been given full authority to act in the
mails dispute and is cooperating with
the other entente diplomats at Stock
holm in making representations as to
the latest matters in controversy.
New Point of Contact.
The new point of contact with Swed-
en- is the outgroWth of the practice Of
bellgerent shipping in using Swedish
territorial waters for all Baltic traf-
fic. Within the safety of this neu-
tral three-mile limit, English and 9TH
er ships of the entente nations have
sailed defantly into and out of the
Baltic, ,iot paying the slightest heed
to the German fleet looking on from
the outer waters Similarly, German
ships have sailed up ond down the
west coast of Sweden, heavily laden
with foodstuffs and iron ores, while
Russian destroyers in the northern
reaches Of the Baltic have been impo-
tent to act
This practice placed heavy re-
sponsibility upon Sweden and kept
her fleet busy day and night patroll-
ing the territorial waters in protec-
tion of the belligerent traders des-
pite which precautions there were
several violations Of the Swedish neu-
trality. Public sentiment in Sweden
was aroused and the government de-
termined to mine the waters of Ko-
grund channel, leading out of the
sound into the Baltic. Sweden also
served notice that her naval COM
manders had been instructed to fire
upon all submarines found prowling
within the three limit. This poll
icy scarcely had been announced,
when news came of the successful
trip of the Deutschland from Bremen
to Baltimore, and there arose the
question as to whether Swedish war
ships would fire at sight of a German
merchant submarine, or whether they
would only fire at entente allied sub
marines, knowing these powers were
not using commercial underwater
boats.
Further Complications.
The situation was further complicat-
ed by a later determination of the
Swedish government to close the Ko-
grund channel to all except Swedish
vessels. Then the entente allies deCid-
ed to protest According to reports
received here, there was much excite
lhent in Stockholm when the entente
allied note arrived, and it was
promptly described by the pro- Ger
man papers as an dltimatum.
the entente allies protested that in
feserving exclusively to Swedish mer-
chant ships the track across the mine
Ilelds established in the Kogrund
enamel Sweden had closed the only
route by which English, French and
olher entente allied vessels could pass
INTO and out of the Baltic protected
from attack by German naval forces.
Oh the other hand, the note pointed
OUT the Swedish government not only
Ieit open in territorial waters between
Nalamar strait and Lulea, a route
"illch Is accessible only to Swedish
anu German ships under the new ar
Iahgement, but further assured 70
'"ese vessels the protection of an es-
NoIl against the Russian, naval force.
Submarine Situation.
WIN regard to submarines, the
hiItsh protest declared that Sweden
appeared to establish between the un-
"r-Water boats armed for war pur-
Uses and other submarines. a distinc-
"i' IN virtue Of which so-caled sub
'"rIhes of commerce, a type not en-
oSed by the entente allies, might
'h Impunity navigate Swedish terri
.laI waters beneath the surface.
ihe reply of Sweden was character
@aeally stiff
lou conclude that in the attitude
pied by the kings government re-
Nhs the two belligerent camps.
Is a signal difference which
"a seem incompatible with the du-
" a loyal and impartial neutrah-
q said. ut is the duty of the