Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-01
WANTS ARGENTINA
T0P[AY REAL PART
Irrigoyen Willing for Break
When Nation Is Ready to Rise
to Man for War.
NO "REAR GUARD" TO U. S.
Would Have Rupture on Grounds
of Humanity Rather Than
on Luxburg Incident.
NO "REAR GUARD" TO U. S.

BUENOS AIRES. September 30
President Irrigoyen. who for weeks
has stemmed himself single -handedly
against the tide OF his nations clamor
for a break with Germany, has done
so not because he is pro-German, but
because he wants the republic of Ar
gentine. once 1t has broken, to back
up the rupture with declaration OF
war that will not be a sham, but the
real. telling, uncompromislng fight to
the end.
''If we go to war we should not
be satisfied with the attitude now OBJ
served by Brazil. Wo must not be a
rear guard to the United States: but
assume a leading role Of our own act
on our own initiative and prove worthy
of our prestige"
In these words. he defined his at
.itude for the first time last night
The occasion was the presentation OF
n petition for n diplomatic rupture by
q delegation representing a monster
mass-meeting. The President defended
his policy. The crux Of his defense
was that II Argentine enters the war
she should do SO not over .he Lux
burg incident. hut rather on the
grounds Of humanity and justice. She
should align herself. he urged. with
the rest of South American republics
To this end. he said. he proposed to
call congress of South American ma
lions to act Jointly
MY program" continued the Presi-
dent. when carried out in it's full
scope. will carry the country to the
highest position and make 1t respected
throughout the world.
THINKING OF COUNTRY,
NOT OF HIMSELF
81 am thinking Of the country's
welfare, first and last. not OF my own
personal feelings. II tho country
wants to rise TO man and go to war,
nothing would please my own self bet
ter. for In that way matters would
be resolved according to my own per-
sonal feelings"
The keynote of Senior Irrigoyen's
reasoning appeared to be that no break
of diplomatic relations should be em-
barked upon unless the country was
sure 1t could play its proper part in
the war that would inevitably follow.
He pointed out that by a diplomatic
rupture a nation abandons all rights
which 1t can claim as neutral.
His remarks to the delegation are
taken as the clearest outline Of his
views he has yet given.
When the delegation called. The
President promptly stated that he was
ready to hear an exposition of the
reasons adduced for the petition. The
spokesman of the delegation stated
that national sentiment had be-,
gravely offended by the acts OF Count
Won Luxburg. the dismissed German
charge d'affaires. who not only be-
smirched Argentine's national dignIty,
but also insulted the republic by
offending the person of one Of its
highest officials.
The alleged satisfaction given by
Germany, the speaker said, was in
sufficient. for according to diplomatic
procedure the acts of a pleuipoten-
t'ary are the acts of the nation he
represents. and cannot be withdrawn
By an apology.
LUxBURG's CONDUCT
REGULAR METHODS
Count Luxburg's conduct" con-
tinued the speaker, SIS but a repetI-
ton Of German methods In other coun-
tries. confirming an established policy.
the more so since Germany in the In
cident over the destroyed Argentine
steamer Toro said that Count Luxburz
had full powers to adjust matters.
The explanations received from
Berlin do not merit faith on our part
since they are but due to the char
acteristic German policy of deceit ard
subterfuse instead of being dictat Il
by friendship and loyalty. It IS
therefore dangerous to maintain re-
lations with such a power"