The Washington times., 1917-10-25

a result Of the recent elections So
cialists and Liberals friendly to the
entente now occupy all the important
portfolios.
Reflection On Government.
When the United States discovered
that improper use was being made OF
cipher privileges for the transmission
OF German messages through the
Swedish legation In Argentina, Sec
retafy Lansing made It clear that this
did not reflect upon the Swedish peo-
pie, but upon the Swedish. govern
ment The entire cabinet has since
been reorEanized; in fact Il was gem
orally suspected In washington that
the purpose OF the expose was to
bring about the fall OF q ministry
known to have been sympathetic with
the cause Of Germany.
None OF the political leaders of the
other neutral countries, on the other
nand, has been as pronounced in their
denunciation OF Germany as Hjalmar
Branting, the Socialist leader, who
has now been made minister Of
finance. He has declared that there
can be no peace until the Hohenzol-
lern dynasty has been driven from
Germany, and has condemned the ir.
regularities in the Stockholm Foreign
once which led the abuse of cipher
privileges In the interest OF Germany.
The new minister of foreign affairs.
DR.. Hellnes, Is q man OF high ideals.
md one who enjoys the respect OF
factions.
Purpose Not Disclosed.
The British purpose in OBTAINING
the pouches in Halifax has never been
disclosed, but it is safe to assume
that while the ministerial crisis was
on the entente, naturally wished to
Indicate to Sweden that unless strict
neutrality was preserved in the mat
ter OF communications, both cable
and mail privileges would cease. As
matter OF fact a great deal OF un-
necessary gossip and unfounded sus-
picion has enveloped the controversy
over the mail pounches now deliver
ed.
The Swedish minister heer did moi.
OF course, open the pouches in the
presence OF British officials, as IL
was minated that he might do, be-
cause that would establish a pre-
cedent. On the delivery of the mail.
however. he told his friends that he
would invite disinterested persons TO
witness the breaking of the seals SO
as to satisfy any doubt as to their
contents.
The ministers word, however. was
accetped on all sides, and the mail
mas now reached the Swedish com.
mercial commission here in exactly
the same condition in which 1t was
when sealed originally at Stockholm
Inc pouches contained statistics for |
the use OF the mission in answering |
Nj. Hoover's inquiries concerning ex-
ports and imports of European neu-
trails.
Request to Press.
Many stories and editorials. how.
ever, have been printed impeachinE
the integrity of the Swedish legation
here in connection with the alleged
contents fthe pouches, 50 that the
Department OF State has informally
asked the press not to reflect upon
the good faith OF the Swedish lega-
ton here.
This is undoubtedly the beginning OF a
lew era In the relations between Swe-
len and tn eUnited States as well as
he entente, for with the change Of min
stry in Stockholm and the warm friend
hip that has always been felt here for
he Swedish people. no further difficult
les are now expected. In fact, It would
lot be surprising IL the British govern
nent permitted Swedish legations
abroad to resume the use Of the cables
or cipher messages.
Sweden and the United States have
Irown closed commercially since the war
,roke out than at any previous time in
he history OF the two countries Diplo-
natic difficulties having been adjusted,
/ new understanding and certainly an
.ra OF better feeling can be said to
lave begun Il