Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-09-10
SWEDEN'S CHANCE TO
KEEP OUT OF WAR
[Continued from First Page.l

oe tlBntening OF America embargo
affecting not only Sweden, but all of
the other neutral countries as well.
Certainly in the case OF Sweden, prob
ably as regards Norway, Denmark and
Holland. no foodstuffs or materials to
be used in manufacturing munitions
VIII be shipped from the United States
for many months to come. This will
be ample punishment for the Swedes.
Advices received here from time to
time indicate that conditions there
are very bad. A cry for food has been
constantly raised, and the coal sup
ply Is reported to be very low.
There is. however. a large group
of officials who take the view that
sweden will not make any great at
tempt to keep out of the struggle.
They reason that its government must
realize that no supplies will be
shipped there under any conditions in
view of the exposed treachery, and
tfat their safest move is to get as
much German protection as possible.
Consequently, the ruling class will
prefer taking a chance as an ally of
the Central Powers to being regarded
with suspicion as a neutral. The
group holding this opinion. however
is very much in the minority.
Long Leaned Toward Germany
existed in Sweden has been known
mere for many months. A short time
| ago 1t was pointed out that that coun-
! try was the only neutral to refuse to
furnish America with figures indicat-
| ing the amount of food actually re-
CURED. This was regarded as certain
proof that there was no desire to
cease the profitable trade with Ger
many, and that every effort would be
| made tn Obtain
that portion of them might be re-
| shipped.
1t is not thought that Sweden is de-
s1rous of entering the war, however.
The people frankly dread the hard
ships of fighting and prefer almost
anything to actual conflict. The send
Hing of the cablegrams, although a
pure breach of neutrality, evidently
was bold. dastardly plot on the part
| OF the Germans to slip something
through and the Swedes acquiesced,
believing that they would not be
caught. That the messages were in
tercepted. however. is not peculiar,
for such a crime was certain of ulti-
| mate eposure at it's very inception.
| 1t is merely another monument to the
| weakness of German diplomacy and
the daring of Prussian intrigue.
The United States will not define
the policy which 1t intends to pursue
| toward Sweden as a result of disclos-
ures that the Stockholm Foreign Of
flee has been acting as a secret clear
ing house for Germany's diplomatic
corps until Argentina settles it's more
| pressing grievances. The administra-
| tion feels that Argentina has the most
tangible complaint against both Swed-
en- and Germany, and that this Gov
ernment would be unwarranted in
making a public announcement of any
sort until the South American coun-
try acts.
TempOrizinR a Bid For Trouble
Despite this temporary conclusion
President Wilson already has decided
that Sweden shall not hereafter be
allowed to endanger the cause of the
allies by using its legations as out
posts for the German military ma
chine and the Berlin Foreign Office
without paying the price of non-neu-
trality.
From strictly technical standpoint
the United States Is not directly in
VOWED in the present situation. II il
were not for what this Government
already knew of Swedens violations
of neutrality in favor of Germany
President Wilson might deem 1t pol
itic to act as little more than OBJ
server. But because of Sweden's
secret activities since the beginning
of the war, 1t is known that the White
House believes that temporizing with
King Gustav's agents would be tanta-
mount to inviting serious trouble
hereafter.
If the allies were not involved. II is
believed that Argentina would be
willing to accept disclaimer from
Sweden on the ground that the min
lister at Buenos Aires and some COR
rupt official in the Foreign Office, un-
known to the Government, had beer
acting for Germany. 1t is believed
that Argentine, because of her iso-
lated position and nonbelligerent
character, might accept such an ex-
planation and apology. In the case OF
the allies, however, the situatiSn is
not quite analogous. The present Of
fense is not the first that the Swedish
Foreign Office, acting through its
ministers and agents, has committed
against the allies
Helped Won BernstOrR Here
1t is notorious that, since the early
stages of the war. Sweden has been
assisting Germany in every possible
manner. Before Count Won Bernstorfi
was packed out of Washington, one
of his principal advisers was Minister
Ekengren. of Sweden. When Con-
gress debated and voted on the reso-
luton declaring that state of wal
existed, Minister Ekengren was the
one diplomat who found 1t necessary
to sit in the Capitol gallery almost
all night to see the decision.
Before that time his cables, osten-
sibly to Stockholm, had been held uI
in London because they were suspect
ed of being for the German Foreign
Office fTofn Count Won Bernstorff
Since the United States entered the
war. Minister Ekengren never has
been out of sight of a Secret Service
man. Despite the fact that he is
supposed to be living up to the best
standards of diplomacy, this Govern
ment has taken no chances with him
1t is understood that virtually every
minister of Sweden on this hami-
sphere is being watched in the same
manner. because they generally are
supposed to be in league on instruc-
tion from the Foreign Office to look
out for Germany's interests" imam un-
official manner. Just what steps the
United States has taken to satisfy it,