The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-09-11
PLAN LAID TO SINK
SHIPS OF ARGENTINA
THE STATE DEPARTMENT
MAKES DISCLOSURE.
Charge at BuenOs Ayres is
Caught Giving Germany
Vital Information.


three brief dispatches made public
| by the State department today re-
vealed another case of sinister Ger
man diplomacy, this time directed
against Argentina and involving the
Swedish foreign Office in an ap-
parent grave breach of neutrality
and diplomatic propriety.
They were messages to Berlin
from Count Luxburg, the German
charge at Buenos Aires, forwarded
by the Swedish legation there as it's
own communication. Besides advis-
ing that no concessions be granted
Argentina in the submarine contro-
versy they suggested that the South
American country's ships be sunk
without leaving any trace of them,
and gave information as to the sail
ing and positions OF certain vessels.
The departments announcement
was sent to the Argentine EMBASSY
and the Swedish legation here at the
same time il was given TO the public.
There was no explanation as to how
the messages came into the hands Of
the United States nor discussion as
to what may be the result.
! Created Sensation.
The action created a sensation,
particularly among the neutral dip
lomats. Baron Akerheilm, the Swe-
dish charge, in the absence OF advi-
ces from his government would not
comment further than to say it was
improbable that the Swedish minis
ter at Buenos Aires knew Of the con-
tents of the dispatches. Axel Rob
ert Nordvall, of the special Swedish
economic mission, declared he was
certain that Baron Lowen, the Swe-
dish minister to Argentina, had no
knowledge of the contents OF the
dispatch.
Moreover. l am sure" said Mr..
Nordvall, that no Swede would
have been a party to such a heart
less proceeding. know Baron
Lowen very we'll. He is not
in good health and it is possible that
he was unaware of the sending of
any messages. If the dispatches
were in German code, as assume
they were, even if he knew they
were sent. ne could not have known
their contents and may have thought
they were harmless business mes
sages."
May Demand Removal.
That Argentina at least will de-
mand the removal OF the offending
German was assumed both at the
State department and by diplomats
and II was pointed out that Germany
probably would grasp at such an Cp-
portunity to close an incident which
left to grow might easily aid one
more nation to her list of enemies.
Argentina's evident desire in past
months not to enter the war or
even to break relations with Ger
many has caused the belief here
that she will look with certain favor
upon any practicable way out OF the
new dificulty
Lansing's Statement.
The following was issued at the
State department.:
"The Secretary of State today
made the following statement:
"The department OF State has
secured certain kilograms from
Count Luxburg, German charge
d'affairs at Buenos Aires, to the
foreign office at Berlin which, I re-
gret to say. were dispatched from
Buenos Aires by the Swedish lega-
ton as their own official messages.
addressed to the Stockholm office.
"The following are translations
of the German text:
Message as Translated.
May 10, 1917. No. 80. This
government has now released Ger
man and Austrian ships in which
hitherto guard had been placed.
In consequence OF the settlement of
the Monte (Protegido) case, there
has been great change in public
feeling Government will in future
only clear Argentine ships as far as
Las Palmas. l beg that the small
steamer Oran and Guazo, 31st OF
January (meaning which sailed
31st). 800 tons. which are (now)
nearing Bordeaux with view toI
change the flag, may be spared II