Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-09-16
Germany Has Been Called Up
on 10 Explain Abuse of Dip
Ionatic Mails of Neutral
Countries,
FOREIGN MINISTER Is
AWARE OF SITUATION
Tells Associated Press That
His Country Does Not Fail
to Realize Gravity of Condi-
tons Which Exist.
rsv sossrso JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED wissl

rev noRNlso JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED wiRsl
Stockholm, Sept. 15.--Sweden real
ICES the seriousness of the situation
created by the recent disclosures at
Washington regarding the transmis-
sion of German dispatches and ex-
poets to take all steps possible to put
matters right, Foreign Minister Land
man told the Associated Press during
an informal talk, All transmission of
German dispatches had been stopped.
he said, ard Germany had been asked
for an explanation of the abuse OF
the privilege formerly extended.
In the course of his discussion Of
the affair with the correspondent,
Admiral Lindman brought out the
following points:
First-That the Swedish govern
ment was not, as alleged in certain
quarters, taking the affair lightly, but
on the contrary realizea fully the
serious aspect of the situation and in
tended to do everything possible to
settle the problem.
Stops Sending Dispatches.
Second-That transmission of dis
patches on behalf of Germany had
been stopped absolutely from the mo-
ment when the disclosures were
brought to the foreign minister's at
tention and would under no circum-
stances be resumed.
Third-That had the Swedish gov
eminent had the slightest idea of the
nature of the dispatches which the
German government was transmitting,
the messages would never have been
transmitted.
Fourth-That strong representa-
tions had been addressed to the Ger
man government on the abuse made
OF this practice, accompanied by a
request for explanation, to which
however, no reply had yet been re-
ceived.
Wants Situation Cleared.
Admiral Lindman, during the en-
tire conversation, semed imbued with
the desire to see the situation cleared
up fully and completely on a basis
satisfactory to the United States and
continuance of the most friendly and
cordial relations with the American
government and people.
ITO begin with" said the foreign
minister, Il want to emphasize the
fact that we are not taking this mat
ter easily. We deplore most sincere
ly that practice which was exercised
al fast
gravely abused, and we are determir.-
ed that the condition which led to this
result shall be remedied.
Might Have Acted Earlier.
"As soon as ! was informed of Se,-
retary Lansings statement, I immedi-
ately gave orders to cease this prac-
tice. This would have been done
earlier as a matter of course, had my
attention been called to the undesir-
ability of the practice.
"A word from Mr.. Morris (the
American minister) or the British
minister would have sufficed. But as
1t was, | had no idea that the prac-
tice was open to objection until the
revelations launched from Washing
ton."
The foreign minister has, as vet.
been unable to explain the exact cir
cumstanees under which the practice
OF transmitting dispatches in code for
Germany had come into being, as IL
vas an inheritance frcm the admini,.
tration of his predecessor. He had
ordered a rigid investigation within
MS department as to the origin of the
system, he said.
Protests Good Faith.
Il am as yet" he continued "un-
able to say anything about the re-
suits of this investigation, but should
Ike to have you point out emphatica!-
ly that no man belonging to this
country having knowledge of the con-
tents of Count Luxburg's kilograms
would have consented to transmit
them.
This country wishes to maintain a
perfectly neutral attitude and has the
strongest determination to remain
perfectly neutral. If blame can be
thrown upon us for having transmitted
such kilograms 1t cannot be for lack
of good faith and sincere desire to
preserve neutrality"