The sun., 1919-08-06
ARGENTINA FACING
CLASH WITH BRITISH
Purchase of German Steam
ship During War, Arouses
Great Britain.
RECALL ENGLISH ENVOY
King George Ignores Republic
Minister, Who Is Return
= ing Home.

Buxxos ArHHs, Aug. 5.-Coincldent
with the announcement that Sir Reginald
Tower. British Minister to Argentina. Is
to return to London, La Nocson asserts
that relations between the two countries
arc delicate. due to the purchase by Ar
gentlna during the war OF the German
stearnship Bahia Blanca. Sir Reginald
denies that his return to London Is due
to the iriminence OF a rupture In reia-
tons and asserts that the trip merely is
for a rest The article in La Naoton
reads: ...
Regarding rumors which from the be-
ginning have been founded on more than
superstition. we have received versions
the gravity OF which are 1self-eyident,
and according to which the return to
London Of Sir Reginald Tower. British
Minister TO Argentina. and the departure
OF Francisco Alvsrez de Toledo. Argen-
tina Minister to England, from London
are not disconnected. on the contrary,
Il appears the retirement of both min
listers is tfaceabie to the purchase by
Argentina OF the steamer Bahia Blanca
from the Germans, which purchase the
British Government refused TO recog-
nize,
Attempt to End Trouble.
Following this refusal Argentina at
tempted TO solve the difficulty by APP
pointing as minister at London Senior
Toledo who, as Minister of Marine, han
died the negotiations for the purchase OF
the ship. He presented his credentials
to the British Foreign once some time
ago. but considerable period has
elapsed without King George receiving
him. It is reported there is no proba-
bility of his reception in the near future.
at appears this might have been ex-
pected. as the British Government never
stated that Senior Toledo was persona
grata. 1t will be remembered the Ar
gentine Government has waited a long
time for a response to its inquiry as to
the purchase Of the Bahia Blanca, and
there now appears reasons for believing
that Sir Reginald's favorble limitations
rein tive to the deal were solely his per-
sonal Impressions.
Another newspaper, Las Noticids, In
commenting on the situation, says: Sir
Reginald Tower Is being recalled, and
Seror Toledo is returning because King
George has not received him."
Real Cause of Dispute.
The occasion for the present situa-
tion." It adds. lis 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 invested 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, British cruiser took up a pos
sition OF the river Plate. Senior Toledo
subsequently went to London on a reg
ular liner.
According to n current version Of the
matter, an effort is being made to en-
list the aid OF the United States in set
Ting tie question OF the purchase OF
the Bahia Blanca, for which Argentina
paid S1,400 900, the deal being made
through the Swedish Government. 1t
Is said this was one reason that Thomas
A lie Breton. Argentine Minister to the
United States, went to Europe early this
year. According to reports he and
Marcello de Alvear. Argentine Minister
to France. failed in their efforts to help
Senior Toledo to solve the difficulty.
When the great war broke out. the
Bahia Blanca, q ship owned by the
Hamburg-Amertcan Steamship Com
pany, was informed in the harbor of
Buenos Aires to prevent her capture by
allied warships. Some time later 1t
was found the machinery of the ship
had been partially dismantled by the
crew to prevent the use OF the vessel in
case she should be requisitioned by the
Argentine Government
In June, 1918, It was announced at
Buenos Aires that the ship had been
leased by Argentina and that the crew
had been given permission by the Ger
man Ministry Of Marine to reveal the
places where missing parts OF the ships
machinery were hidden. Later II was
learned the ship had been bought by the
Argentine Government.
The ship. however. never went 20 sea.
because the Allies. and the United States
refused to recognize the transfer OF her
flag. 1t was stated In a Buenos Aires
despatch last April that the purchase
price of the ship would be applied TO
moneys to be claimed from Germany by
Argentina
The Bahia Blanca was built at Ham
burg in 1919 and Is 4s1 feet long, hav-
ing a beam OF So feet She is a twin
screw steel vessel being registered at