New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-16
Foreign Secretary Admits
Error-Eager, He Says.
to Placate Allies
Stockholm Blames
German Duplicity
Foreign Minister Says Berlin
Must Explain-Begin
Probe at Home

Washington regarding the transmission
Of German dispatches, and expects to
take all steps possible to put matters
right, Foreign Minister Lindman told
The Associated Press during on in
formal talk. All transmission of Ger
man dispatches had been stopped, he
said, and Germany had been asked for
an explanation of the abuse Of the priv
ilege formerly extended
Admiral Lindman brought out the
following points:
First-Thst the Swedish government
was not, as alleged in certain quarters,
taking the affair lightly, but, on the
contrary, realized fully the serious as
pect Of the situation, and was minded
to do everything possible to settle the
problem.
Second-that transmission Of dis
patches on behalf of Germany had been
stopped absolutely from the moment
when the disclosures were brought to
the Foreign Minister'S attention, and
would under no circumstances be re-
sumed.
Third-that had the Swedish gov
crnment had the slightest idea Of the
nature of the dispatches which the
German government was transmitting
the messages would never have been
transmitted.
Fourth, that strong representations
had been addressed to the German
government on the abuse made Of this
practice, accompanied by request fol
explanation, to which, however, no re-
ply had yet been received
Wants U. 8. Frisndship
Admiral Lindman, during the entire
conversation, seemed imbued with the
desire to see the situation cleared up
fully and completely on a basis satis-
factory to the United States and Swe
den and in a way to permit the con-
tinuance Of the most friendly, cordial
relations with the American govern
ment and people.
"To begin with" said the Foreign
Minister, 81 want to emphasize the
fact that We are not taking this mat
ter easily. We deplore most sincerely
that a practice which was exercised
in absolutely good faith has been
gravely abused. and we are determined d
that the condition which led to this
result shall be remedied.
,"As soon as | was informed Of Sec
retary Lansing's statement | immedi-
ately gave orders to cease this prac-
tice."
This would have been done earlier,
as a matter of course, had my atten-
ton been called to the undesirability
of the practice. A word from Mr..
Morris (the American Minister) OF
the British Minister would have suf-
feed. But, as it was, had no idea
that the practice was open to objec-
tion until the revelations launched
from Washington"
Orders Investigation
The Foreign Minister has as yet been
unable to explain the exact circum-
stances under which the practice of
transmitting dispatches in code for
Germany had come into being. as il
was an inheritance from the admins
tration of his predecessor. He had or
dered a rigid investigation within his
department as to the origin Of the sys-
TEN.
81 am al yet" he continued. unable
20 say anything about the results OF
this investigation, but should like to
have you point out emphatically that
no man belonging TO this country,
would, having knowledge Of the con-
tents of Count Luxburg's kilograms
have consented TO transmit them.
This country wishes to maintain a
perfectly neutral attitude. and has the
strongest determination to remain per
fectly neutral. If blame can be thrown
upon US for having transmitted such
telegrams, IT cannot be for lack Of good
faith and sincere desire TO preserve
neutrality
Much curiosity is manifested here in
the press and by the public as to the
contents of sixty-one other cable dis
paches. which as foreign dispatches
point out. were sent by Count Lex
burg through the Swedish route. and
the natural suspicion has been aroused
that transcripts of other embarrassing
messages forwarded through the Swed'
ism intermediary may be found IN pos
session Of the American government.
AAftonbladet" says that 1t awaits
impatiently for the German answer to
Sweden's demands for an explanation
believing that Sweden is entitled to
demand satisfaction in the form Of dis
ciplinary measures against those re-
sponsible for abusing Sweden's conf
dence. Necessary justice to Sweden i'
lacking in the German statement
which, however, exposes, accorsrg u
"Aftonbladet," "the humbug" Of Ameri'
can action by its reference 70 the tie
grams forwarded by the Berlin En-
bassy.
"Aftenbladet" complains, too, Of the
attitude of the American and English
press. and warns its readers against
allowing Sweden to be drawn. through
the affair, into a condition like Greece
(which sacrificed all national indepen'
dence TO serve as a lackey TO its pro-
tecting powers" or Portugal.
(Sredish Minister to Britain on
h.