Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-09-13

was IurnlSneu W S'oSio -'S
Lansing Saturday when he gave to the
press copies of dispatches containing I'M
neutral information for the German gov
eminent sent in the Swedish code
the Swedish legation In Buenos
Aires by the German charge daffaires at
that capital. These dispatches, with a
brief Introductory note by Secretary
Lansing, amount not only to a direct
charge of unneutral conduct against the
Swedish diplomatic representative to
Argentina, but virtual accusation of
double dealing against the Swedish gov
eminent itself.
Tho secretary Of states disclosure
makes the Swedish government, already
suspected Of pro-German tendencies,
stand accused before the world Of having
acted as a go-between for the dispatch
Of military and other unneutral informa-
ton valuable to Germany, otherwise cut
off from obtaining advices concerning
the operations Of enemies. Whether tho
United States government and the gov
ernments of the other allies will break
relations with Sweden remains for the
future to develop
STEPS TO FOLLOW EXPOSURE.
An opportunity to explain will be given
the Swedish government before further
steps are taken by the United States.
II is inevitable that the German charge
d'affaires at Buenos Aires will be dis
missed by the Argentine government and
not unlikely that relations between Ger
many and Argentina, already strained,
will be severed. It Is also inevitable
that the Swedish diplomatic representa-
tive at Buenos Aires will be recalled I'M
less the Argentine government hands him
III ~,,sAl
the disposition of the Stockholm gov
eminent. No other cause would satisfy
the United States and the nations en-
gagged in war against Germany.
Part of the information sent by the
German charge d'affaires at Buenos Aires
through the Swedish diplomatic cipher
code. guaranteed by the good faith Of
Sweden against use for unneutral pur-
poses, was notice to the German govern
ment that two Argentine steamers were
nearing the port Of Bordeaux. France.
With a true respect for the policy Of
frightfulness, the German diplomat
recommended to his chiefs in Berlin that
these vessels "be spared IL possible. or
sunk without trace being left"
AS far as the United States government
knows. nothing happened to these two
vessels. One dispatch sent through the
medium of the obliging Swedish legation
indicates why the German charge
d'afraires was willing that these ships
might be spared: Argentine ships are
small and-so his message is to be con-
strued-could bring little food or other
supplies to Germany's enemies.
TO LEAVE NO EVIDENCE.
But il the German government could
not resist the satisfaction Of having them
sunk by U-boats. the job should be done
SO that no telltale trace of the Argentine
vessels would be left and no member OF
the crews should be spared from death
to furnish evidence of German ruthless.
ness and thus probably cause a break in
relations between Germany and Argen-
tina, the last important American nation
except Chile that is still maintaining
relations with Berlin.
A break in relations between Germany
and Argentina would prevent the German
legation in Buenos Aires from sending
military information to Berlin through
the obliging legation Of Sweden there. II
would probably put an end also to the
pro-German propaganda in Argentina
a propaganda carried on through news.
papers whose activities became sc
noxious that the Argentine government
has taken steps to suppress it.
In the minds Of persons here In posi-.
ton to understand the government
view the important feature of Score.
tary Lansing's exposure of Swedish du'
plicity Is the willingness of the Swedish
representative in Buenos Aires to trans
init to his government for the beneht o.
Germany information which leaves tn,
Swedish legation In Buenos Aires &C
cused Of having Endorsed the German
policy of submarine ruthlessness.
In permitting the German charge,
d'affaires to send tips on the where
abouts of merchant ships to Berlin tn,
Swedish diplomatic representative IL
the Argentine capital gave his sanction
to murderous methods that have aroused
the Indignation Of the world. The Ger
man charge d'affaires by consent of tn,
Swedish representative advocated tn,
sinking of Argentine steamers so tina
there would be no evidence left cithe
In the way of wreckage or through hu
man testimony. These ships should b.
treated, he suggested. "suprios yer
senkt" sunk without q trace being left
That was In a message last May. Il
July he recommended the same thin
as an alternative. repeating in a way I,
indicate that he was following q Sc
formula the suggestion of. to quote tn
July message. Sinking them withou
any traces"
TEXT OF STATEMENT.
The text Of the statement issued by tn
state department regarding the com
munications from Count Luxburg, German
charge at Buenos Aires. to the Berlin for
eign office. through the Swedish lega tion
In cipher. Is as follows:
The department of state has secured Ger
tain kilograms from Count Luxburg Ger
man charge d'affaires at Buenos Aires. L
the foreign Office at Berlin. which. I regre
to say. were dispatched from Buenos Aire
by the Swedish legation as their ow,
Official messages. addressed to the Stock
holm foreign office.
The following are translations Of tn,
German text:
May 10. 1917 Number 80.
This government has now released Ger
man and Austrian ships on which hithert,
q guard had been placed. In consequence,
Of the, settlement of the Monte OProtegido
case there has been great change IL
public feeling. Government will in futur
only clear Argentine ships as far as La
Palmas. / beg that the small steamers
Oran and Guaxo. slst Of January, (mean
ing which sailed aist) 800 tons. which ar
now nearing Bordeaux with view I,
change the nag. may be spared IL possible
or else sunk without a trace being lef
('spurlos versenkt'O LUXBURG.
July 8. 1917. Number So
! learn from a reliable source that tn
acting minister for foreign affairs. who /
q notorious ass and Anglophile, declares
In secret session Of the Senate tina
Argentina would demand from Berlin
promise not TO sink more Argentine ships