New-York tribune., 1917-07-15
Scandinavian Commission
er Charges This Country
with Sending Supply
Embargo Not Opposed
Declares, However, That Situ-
alton of Neutrals Is Not
Clearly Understood
fF-,n n. rrsun. Rur.,ul

Washington, July cotton Hhlch
went 70 Germany through Sweden went
there not only with the perfect
knowledge OF the United States. bu-.
TO a very great extent, upon her spe-
cifc request" in the early stages Of
the war. according TO a statement su-
thorized to-day BY the special Swed sn
mission 70 America.
The statement discloses ,pme Of 'h'
arguments the neutral European coun-
tres will advance 20 further their
claim of right 70 import from re
Unittd States on the ground that
America demanded for It's products IN
a previous phase OF the war free tran
ST, through Sweden 20 the Central
Powers. as we'll a. 20 Russia.
TIE statement was dictated BY syel
Robert Nordvall. delegate cf the royal
Swedish government, in the presence
Of r. De Lagercrantz, envoy OF mo
King Of Sweden on a special MISSION,
who indorsed it,
Mr.. Nordyal spoke In reply 20 many
published accusations that Sweden and
other neutral countries are sending ou'
large quantities OF American cotton
and other imported articles 20 Ger
MANY. He answered frankly every
question put 70 him. but emphasized
throughout the interview the friendly
sentiment in Sweden for America,
which has been questioned IN some
criticisms Of Sweden. II is the lrSt
authorized statement by the Swedish
mission. Mr. Nordvall said:
Understands 1. :. Attitude
Il have no comments - offer re-
-ardiny the new spapers' announcement
Of proposed embargo on cotton and
other material. as I ind II only natu-
raj that America during existing con-
ditions in the world should want 70
take the control Of her own products
i'm her own hands; but I wish 20 make
some remarks as 20 the newspapers
statements that Sweden is feeding
Germany with cotton and other prod
ucts imported from the United States.
81 think the idea held IN many quar-
ters in this country that great quaint
ties of merchandise are transported
through Sweden 70 the Central Powers
ia 20 a great extent due 20 the fact
that in a previous phase Of the war the
United States demanded for certain Of
its products the free transit through
Sweden 70 Russia As well as 20 the
Central Powers OF Europe.
1T should be especially borne IN
mind that great quantities Of cotton
were AZ the request of the United
States herself given free passage
through Sweden in 1914 and 1915. II
was not until May %, 1915, that Sweden
expressed herself against the export
frcm Sweden and the transit through
Sweden Of cotton, as a result Of Ger
tain intimations coming from abroad,
and since that time she has lOyaily
maintained an embargo on transit and
expectation Of cotton.
"lr this connection n may he Oppor-
tune 10 remind Of certa' ind cations
previously furn shed by the press in
regard 70 the cotton trade Accord ug
20 A communication 70 Stockholm from
oudon. dated the 25th Of October, 1914,
10 was cabled from Washington 20 the
Reuter- agency that the State Depart
ment had made known the intention Of
the United States Of America TO try 90
conclude an arrangement with the bel
ligerent European powers with view
Of obtaining authorization for neutral
shins 20 trans sport cotton and cotton
seed oil even I'm such cases when these
articles were destined 10 the bal.iger-
ont. On the 81 Of November. 1914. the
"Vo,sische IeitunC" published that he
American government had received
rom the British government assurance
that tho British CoVerr me0t would not