American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-09-11
LANSING EXPOSES DUPLICITY
OF SWEDISH MINISTER
Swedish Legation Transmits Dis
patches Advising Sinking OF Ships
without Leaving Trace.

Copies of three brief dispatches
made public by the state department
revealed another case of sinister di-
piomacy, this time directed against (
Argentina and involving the Swedish /
foreign office in an apparent grave /
breach of neutrality and diplomatic |
prOpriety.
They were messages to Berlin from
Count Luxburg, the German charge at
Buenos Aires. forwarded by the Swed- /
ish legation there as its own cOmmun-
ications. Besides advising that no
concessions be granted Argentina in
the submarine controversy, they sug
gested that the South American coun-
try's ships be sunk without leaving
any trace" and gave information as to
the sailing and positions of certain
vessels.
The departments announcement was
sent to the Argentine embassy and the
Swedish legation al the same time
it was given 10 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
he the result.
The action created a sensation, par
ticularly among the neutral diplomats.
Baron Akerheilm, the Swedish charge,
in the absence of advices from his gov
ernment, would not comment further
hthan to say it was improbable that the
Swedish minister at Buenos Aaires
knew of the contents of the dispatches
What effect the disclosure viii have
on Argentina's relations with Ger
many could only be guessed at both
| by state department officials and by
Ambassador NaOn. The ambassador
already has transmitted the messages
to his government and until instruc-
| tions are received he will not comment
on the incident that his government
may take. That he was astounded al
the revelations was evident.
The following was issued at the
state department.
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. l regret to say, were dispatched
from Buenos Aires by the Swedish le-
CATION as their own Official messages.
addressed 10 the Stockholm foreign Of
fee.
The following are Uanslations OF the
German text:
May 10, 1917. Number 30. This
government has now released German
and Austrian ships on which hitherto
a guard had been placed. In conse-
quence of the settlement of the Monte
| (ProtegidO) cases there has been
| great change in public feeling. Gov
ernment in future only clear Argentine
ships as far as Las Palmas. l beg
( that the small steamers Oran and
( Guazo? 31st of January (meaning
which sailed 31sD. 300 tons, which are
/ now nearing Bordeaux with view to
changing the flag, may be spared if
| possible or else sunk without q trace
/ being left CSpuriOr VersenktD.
! "(Signed) LUXBURG."
July 3, 1917 Number 50. I learn
from reliable source the acting min
inster for foreign affairs, who is a no.
torious ass and Anglophile, declared
in secret session of the senate that
Argentina would demand from Berlin
a promise not to sink more Argentine
ships If not agreed to, relations
would be broken Off recommend re-
| fusal and, If necessary, calling in the
mediation of Spain.
"(Signed) LUXBURG."
July 8. 1917. Number "a. With
out showing any tendency to make
concessions, postpone reply to Argen-
tine note until receipt of further re-
ports. A change of ministry is prob
able. As regards Argentine steamers,
l recommend either compelling them
TO turn back, sinking them without
leaving any traces. or letting them
through. They are all quite small.
"(Signed) LUXBURG