The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-01-21
American Interests Involved in
Developments in Nations
Which Occupy Stage.
WANTS OPEN WAY TO BALTIC
State Department Will Protest
Against BIOCkade-AIfonso
Believed Preparing for War.

Two nations stood out prominently to-
day in world politics-Sweden ana
Spain. Diplomatic interest is centered
on DEVELOPMENTS in these countries.
American interests are involved in potn.
The Diplomatic Corps Is rife wi'h Vari-
Gus reports and rumors.
Reported efforts of Sweden to induce
the United States to join in protest
to England against the proposed Brit
ish blockade of Germany and British
mail interference were widely discussed
in diplomatic quarters.
Reports Of political activity in Spain.
and alleged purchase in this country OF
great quantities Of arms and ammunl-
ton were also afloat. While official de-
NAL by the Spanish embassy regarding
extraordinary preparedness movements
in Spain was expected, diplomats of the
allies were greatly Interested In the in
ternal and external Developments affect
ing Spain. The entente's diplomatic rep
resentatives here are understood to be
watching closely alleged purchases in
this country by Spanish agents.
Will Demand Open Way.
Information reaching The State De-
partment that the British, French AMI
Russian governments may seek to close
tie Baltic as part of their blockade
reused state Department officials.
Willie admitting that it would be easily
possible for the allies to block all trat-
nc into and out Of the narrow gateway
to the Baltic, state Department officials
said the United States would insist
into the Baltic. The United States VIII
take the position. officials said, that the
allied powers have no more right 10
close the Baltic than they have to
n q
Efforts made to cite the closing of the
Dardan elles as a parallel case were re-
sisted by the State Department. The
Dardsnelles. 1t was pointed out. were
of peace the Dardanelles are closed
against battleshiDs. The international
agreement affecting the Dardanelles
gives those waters a different status
from the Baltic waters.
The State Department still Is with
ont authoritative Information as to the
allies intention in enforcing a blockade
Of the central powers. Information Is
awaited from London and Paris on this
point.
Sweden Moving Guardedly. u
tSweoen ID understood to De maneuver-
Ing, cautiously and guardedy. against
the German blockade, commercial and
mail interference. reluctance to inItl-
ate proposals which might cause en-
barrassment with England was said TO
be deterrinR Sweden's action. 1t was
known on high official authority, now
ever, that Sweden would welcome an
offer from America to make a Joint
protest.
That Sweden is ready and anxious to
Join the United States in any embargo
plans against England, in retaliation
for British commercial and mail lnIer-
ferences, was stated with little reser-
walton.
1t was pointed out that Sweden. as
lands action, is holding up mail for
England. Sweden also has embargoed
many articles placed on England's con-
traband list
Swedish authorities have expressed
sympathy, unofficially, with tAe agita-
ton in the Senate for an American
embargo. They declare cutting off
American cotton supplies from Eng
land, without resortng to an embargo
on war munitions, would be sufficient
to gain marked concessions from Eng
land In her neutral trade interference
campaign.