The sun., 1917-09-16
SWEDEN STOPS
AID TO GERMANY
TOSATISFY U. S.
Foreign Minister Says Ber.
lin Has Been Asked for
Explanation.
NO REPLY YET RECEIVED
Admiral Lindman Depl0res
Revelations Regarding
Envoy to Argentina.
NO REPLY YET RECEIVED

Ices the seriousness OF the situation
created by the recent disclosurest at
regarding the transmission
Of German dispatches and expects TO
take all steps possible to put matters
right, Foreign Minister Lindman told
the Associated Press to-day during an
informal talk. All Transmission OF Ger
said, and Germany had been asked for
IN explanation Of the abuse of the
privileges formerly extended.
Admiral Lindman brought out the
following points in his discussion:
First. that the Swedish Govern
ment was not. as alleged In certain
quarters. taking the AFFAIR lightly,
but on the contrary realised fully the
serious aspect Of the situation and
was minded to do everything possible
to settle the problem.
Second, that transmission of des-
patches on behalf Of Germany had
been stopped absolutely from the mo-
ment when the disclosures were
brought to the Foreign Minister'S at
tention. and would under no circum-
stances be resumed.
Third, that had the Swedish Gov
ernment 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 a request
for explanation, to which. however,
n ~ haA L..
Hopes TO Satisfy America.
Admiral L!ndman during the entire
seemed imbued with the
desire to see the situation cleared up
fully and completely on a basis salts
factory to the United States and Sweden
and in way to permit the continuance
Of the most friendly, cordial relations
with the American Government and
people.
ITO begin with said the Foreign
Minister In the course of the conversa-
ton. which was held in the Ministers 5
private cabinet IN the Foreign Office,
Il want to emphasize the fact that we
are not taking this matter easily. We
deplore most sincerely that q practice
which was exercised in absolutely good
faith has been gravely abused and We
are determined that the condition which
led to this result shall be remedied
"As soon as l was Informed Of Secre-
tary LansinE's statement 1 Immediately
gave orders TO cease this practice. This
would have been done earlier, as mat
ter OF course, had my attention been
called to the undesirabilIty OF the prac-
tice. A word from Mr.. Morris ttho
American Minister) or the British Min
lister would have sufficed. But as It
was had no idea that the practice was
open TO objection until the revelations
launched from Washington
The Foreign Minister has as yet been
unable to explain the exact circum-
stances under which the practice OF
transmitting dispatches in code for Ger
an inheritance from the administration
OF his predecessors. He had ordered a
rigid Investigation within his depart.
ment as to the origin of the system.
Defends Loyalty of Swedes.
"I am ae yet" he continued. unable
to 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. hav.
ing knowledge Of the contents OF Count
Luxburg's kilograms. have consented tc
transmit them.
This country wishes to maintain q
perfectly neutral attitude and has the
strongest determination TO remain per-
fectly neutral. II blame can be thrown
upon us for having transmitted such
telegrams. It cannot be for lack of good
faith and sincere desire to preserve neu-
trality.
hn, l,.-A l~Ro
the Minister. "of the Associated Press
Washington despatch giving the Amerl-
can version of the circumstances attend.
ing tho transmission of dispatches fol
the United States. which in some details
differs from that given In our com.
munique of Monday. An Investigation
is now under way to determine the exact
circumstances. the result Of which vii
be announced later. Aside from this nc
formal statement 10 Contemplated for the
present"
To a reference by the correspondent
to old time rumors Of the existence OF
some special understanding between Ger
many and Sweden which might serve a,
a basis for special favors to Germany II
the forwarding of dispatches, the Minis
ter replied that he was in position tc
deny these absolutely, as he was Prime
Answering an inquiry as to whether
steps had been taken at Berlin. the Min
lister replied that as soon as he learned
Of the matter last Monday ne immedi-
ately telegraphed to the Swedish Min.
lister at Berlin to make strong represen.
tations against the abuse of Sweden's
good faith as revealed by the dispatches
and asked for explanations. No answer
had as yet been received from Berlin, asid,
from the statement published in the
Norddeutsohe All0emetne Zettung, which
as was known, had not touched upon thi,
aspect Of the question.
No representations. said the Foreign
Minister, had been received from the
Argentine Government
Ira Nelson Morris. the American Min
lister. called at the Foreign Office to-da,
and conferred with Admiral Lindman.
Messages 10 Turkey.
Tho semi-offclal news agency hs,
been authorized by the Government I,
communicate the following In referenc,
to news dispatches from Washington
concerning the handling OF American
messages to Turkey by the Swedish For
eign Office:
war between the United States ant
Germany was proclaimed on April 6
Diplomatic relations between the United
States and Turkey were broken off OF
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