Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-09-10
u. S. HOWEVER WILL ASK
EXPLANATION OF
GOVERNMENT
STIRRED
SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRY
HIGHLY lNCENSED At ATTi
TUDE OF ALLEGED NEUT RAL--
PAPERS DEMAND SPEEDY Ac-
TiON.

Washington, d. c., Sept 1O-The
United States does not hold the Swed.
ish people to account for the unneu-
tral acts of the Swedish minister In
Argentine Secretary OF State Lans'
ing made this clear today. Whether
or not the United States has informa.
ton that the Swedish government
was a party to the plot, Secretary
Lansing refused to say
| II the disclousers mean that Sweden
will be dragged into the war, the
first step must be taken by the gov
ernment against which the offense
took place--Argentine Secretary
Lansing stated. II also was pointed
out that unneutral messages were
sent over Great Britain's cables.
The United States has not asked
Sweden for an explanation Secretary
Lansing admitted. altho he gave
strong intimations that an explanation
was expected
The secretary of state refused to
discuss the extent OF the perfidy OF
the Swedish minister In Argentine.
He would not say whether or not the
disclosures made public was all Of the
evidence of unneutrality this govern
ment has at hand He did say. how
ever, that the United States govern.
ments was the first intimatio1 that
the Argentine government had OF the
unneutrals.
;, Washington Sept. l0--Sweden II
} expected outlay for time in answering
1 the grave accusations brought against
her by the state department. Inttma-
, tions have come here that the govern.
ment of the Scandinavian nation will
seek to throw the burden Of proof
on the United States by general de-
NAL of forwarding uneutral dispatches
for German from the Swedish lega-
tion in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
AT the state department the feel
ing of officials is that the administra-
tion will brook no dilatory tactics.
1t was pointed out today that Secre-
tory Of State Lansing would not have
made public the dispatches which had
fallen into the hands of American
agents except after careful and thoro
Investigation
The messages themselves are OF
, such a damning nature, 1t was point
ed out, that it is likely an ordinary
apology will be of no avail. Baron
Lowen, the Swedish minister to Ar
gentna is reported unofiicially to
have denied that any messages have
been forwarded thru his legation for
Germany. In view of the evidence in
the hands of the state department
here, officials here say such an un-
, supported denial can be given no
d. weight, even tho it is made officially
, The Argentine embassy here is still
n without advices as to the course to be
! pursued by the South American re-
u DuDlit. HC NOuNCllSuS vi oihIlQA 0AU
- .dipomatic opinion here Is that a
\ break of relations between Argentina
/. and Sweden, and between Argentina
= and Germany is practically a certain.
ty and war declarations against Ger
many by the South American nation
e a strong possibility.
al Lo h,y haan
e Iswaying in the balance OF neutrality.
e South American diplomats here are
e almost unanimous in the belief that
the direct and conclusive proof OF
Germany plotting to destroy Argen.
tine ships without leaving any trace
= following close on the heels Of the
= seemingly satisfactory settlement OF
the Monte Protegido' case, will
= strengthen war sentiment In Argen
g tine so much that 1t can not be com
'e bated successfully. Sweden's plight II
y fully recognized here. The pro Ger
- man element that has been influenced
and led by the Swedish queen. Oppose
"a to this party is "A strong revolutionary
element. The deciding factor. accord
a ing to diplomats here has been
.o Swedens geographical situation, plac
pr ing the scandinavian country in the
n power of Germany to a large extent
q Sweden, even though an avowed
st neutral. has been long feeling the
We pinch of hunger because Of the Brit
IS ish blockade of Germany A break
with the entente. the United States
II and Argentina would be a crushing
H. blow, 1t Is believed here. On the
II other hand. a large element In Sweden
IA Is morally afraid of Germany.
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