Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-12-20


German money to subsidize Argentine
newspapers and high power radio
plant in Buenos Aires by which Teu-
tons communicated secretly with their
government were revealed today in a
series of communications intercepted
between Count Luxburg, German am
bassador to Argentine and his home
government.
The messages which the state depart
ment is prepared to give out for pub
ication, show:
That Luxburg for short time at
least had communicated with his gov
ernment through Mexico.
Bribing of Newspaper
That he endeavored to subsidize the
argentine newspaper union with 10,-
600 pesos month.
That the German legations bank
balance was maintained at about 4
million pesos.
The Swedish diplomats were further
implicated in conveying Germany s dip
lomatic messages.
Built Radii Plant
That a high power radio plant was
located in Argentine, revealed through
Luxburg's inquiry of Berlin, as to
the wave lengths of the German radio
station at Nauen. (Luxburg had to
know the wave length before he could
use his own radio) the construction
of which he reported completed "ac-
cording to instructions.
One of the outstanding features of
the messages is Luxburg s announce
ment that America prevailed upon
President trigoyen of Argentine to
call off Argentina 5 proposed confer
ence Of Latin American neutrals. (This
is the conference which Luis Gabrefa,
Mexican agent, suddenly left the Unit
ed States to attend this week.
Luxburg insisted tnat Argentine
"vanity" prevented public announce
ment of the American representation,
Communication between Luxburg
and his home office apparently ceased
in September. Recently there has been
much popular feeling against the Ar
gentine authorities for allowing the
German, ordered home, to remain in
Argentina.
The state department made public
its data late this afternoon.
Some of the Messages
Luxburg informed Berlin in a mes
sage dated July 10 that President Iri-
goyen Gin the course of q long inter-
view protested his friendship for Ger
many and firm desire for neutrality in
spite of severe pressure. He demanded
forebearance for all ships, about six
in number, proceeding to the war zone,
but conceded that contrabrand found
on board might be destroyed. He stat
ed that it is a fact there are no more
ships available. He regretted the pos.
sibility of rupture
Four days later, Luxburg told Ber-
lin that the Argentine president had
refused to invite the American squad
ron to BHenos Aire.
He constantly repeated his sugges-
tions that Argentine be handled with
gloves.
Message number eight read
"Please treat with indulgence the
last attempts of the government. to put
on pressure. The minister of marine
and the minister for foreign affairs
are probably bribed. President holds
with us"
An impression had been made in Ar
gentine, he added, because North AM
erica supplied Brazil with munitions
and money.
Under date of August 4, the schem-
ing envoy cabled:
~ am convinced that we shall be
able to carry through our principal po-
litical aims in South America, the
Of open markets in Ar
gentina and the reorganization of
anfT yn1l hot hon
with or against Argentina"
Sends List Of Ships
Luxburg sent his home office list
Of ten ships sailing from Brazilian
ports at various dates, giving a de-
of them, presumably so that
German submarine commanders would
recognize them.
In another message Luxburg told that
he president had sat last made up
lis mind to conclude a secret agree
nent with Chile and Bolivia, for pro-
ection against North America
Asks for Submarines
He repeated former appeal for
squad be sent across to sa-
ute the president tor its effect on Ar
,entine, and he cabled that Germany
mould show its willingness "to meet
he Argentine government as far as
possible"
Later in August he asked secret com
,rehensive powers to settle difficulties
between the two nations themselves, |
a set of terms which would !
'lacate Argentina, particularly assur-
nee Of the safety of her ships.
August IS, the envoy was still ad- I
Using his home office to spare Argen
inc ships, but this time he counselled I
hat they be prevented from going to
ca.
Asks Immediate Action.
A week later Luxburg appeared to be
by the trend of anti-Ger-
IAN sentiment and advised an immed
ate settlement.
On July 20 Luxburg in a message,
lumber 70, said:
Receiving plant erected according
0 instructions. When does Nauen send
t greatest strength and which is the
rave length2 The legation IS balance at
he bank was on June 80, $4,000 pc
1s.''
Five days later in message number 50
.uxburg said:
Z" Union is in need of subvention on
ccount of blacklist and prices about
0 900 pesos monthly.
Message number 80, dated August 7,