The Pensacola journal., 1919-08-06
Purchase by Argentina of
German Ship Bahia Blan-
sa Is Responsible For the
Trouble.
BRITISH DECLINED
TO RECOGNIZE SALE
United States May Be Called
in to Negotiate Terms of
Settlement - Deal Made
Through Sweeds.

Buenos Aires, Aug. 5.-Dipiomatic
relations between Great Britain and
as a result of the purchase
by Argentina of the German steam
ship Bahia Blanca, are delicate, ac-
cording to La Nacion.
The paper says: Regarding rumors
which from the beginning seem to
have been more than supposition we
have received versions the gravity OF
which are elf-evident and according
to which the return to London of Sir
Reginald Tower, British minister to
Argentina, and departure of Francisco
Alvarez de Toledo. Argentina minister
to England. from London. are not
TT appears the retirement Of both
ministers is traceable to the purchase
by Argentina OF the steamer Bahia
Blanca from the Germans. which pur-
chase the British government refused
to recognize.
Following this refusal Argentina
attempted to solve the difficulty by
appointing as minister to London,
Senior Toledo. who as minister of ma
rine, handled the negotiations for the
purchass OF the ship. He presented his
credentfais TO the British foretyn Of
flee some time ago. but q considerable
period has elapsed without King
George receiving him. It is reported
there Is no probabi of his reception
in the near future. 1t appears this
might have been expected as the Brit
ish government never stated that
Senior Toledo was persona grata. 1t
will be remembered that Argentina
government has waited a long time for
a response to its inquiry as to the
purchase OF the Bahia Blanca and
there now appears reason for believ-
ing that Sir Reginalds favorable in
timations relative to the deal We're
solely his personal impressions"
Another newspaper, Las Noticias, in
commenting on the situation says:
''Sir Reginald Tower lis being re-
called and Senior Toledo Is returning
because King George has not received
him.
''The occasion for the present sit
uation," it adds. ''is the refusal OF
the British government to recognize
the purchase OF the Bahia Blanca, but
the real cause underlying the crisis
is the Argentine. governments hostile
attitude toward British capital invest
ed in Argentina"
Before Senior Toledo sailed for Lon
don it was announced he would go on
the Bahia Blanca. A day or two later,
however, a British cruiser took up
position off the river Platte. Senor
Toledo subsequently went to London
on a regular liner.
According to a current version of
the matter an effort is being made to
enlist the aid of the United States
in settling the question of the pur-
chase of the Bahia Blanca for which
the Argentine government paid seven
million pesos, the deal being made
through the Swedish government. 1t is
said this was one reason that Thomas
A. LaBreton, Argentine minister to
the United States. went to Europe
early this year. According to reports
he and Marcelle De Alvear, Argentine
minister to France, failed in their ef-
forts to help Senior Toledo to solve the
When the great war broke out the
Rahia Blanca, ship owned by the
Hamburg American Steamship Com
pany. was -interned in the harbor OF
Buenos Aires to prevent her capture
by allied W4rSnlpS. some tHuc ldtcT
it was, found the machinery OF the
ship had been partly dismaptled by
the crew to prevent the use OF the
vessel in case she should be requisf-
toned by the Argentine government.
In June, 1915. it was announced at
Buenos Aires that the ship had been
leased by Argentina and that the crew
had been given permission by the
ministry Of marine to reveal
the places where missing parts OF
the ships machinery were hidden.
Later 1t was learned the ship had been
bought by the Argentine. government
The ship, however. never went to sea
the allies and the United
States refused to recognize the trans
fer of her flag. It was stated In q
Buenoss Aires dispatch last April that
the purchase price OF the ship would
be applied to monies to be claimed
from Germany by Argentina
The Bahia Blanca was built 1t
in 1912 and Is 4s1 feet long.