File No. 862.20235/32a
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Argentina ( Stimson)
Following statement by me which is furnished to you for your information and use in event of official inquiry, but not to be given to press by you, will be issued to press here at 2 p.m., September 8:
The Department has secured certain telegrams from Count Luxburg, German Chargé dAffaires at Buenos Aires, to the Foreign Office at Berlin, which, I regret to say, were dispatched from Buenos Aires by the Swedish Legation as their own official messages, addressed to the Stockholm Foreign Office.
The following are English translations of the German text:
May 19, 1917.
No. 32. This Government has now released German and Austrian ships in which hitherto a guard had been placed. In consequence of the settlement of the Monte (Protegido) case, there has been a great change in public feeling. Government will in future only clear Argentine ships as far as Las Palmas. I beg that the small steamers Oran and Guazú, 31st January (? meaning which sailed 31st), 300 tons, which are (now) nearing Bordeaux with a view to change the flag, may be spared if possible, or else sunk without a trace being left (spurlos versenkt).
Luxburg
July 3, 1917.
No. 59. I learn from a reliable source that the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is a notorious ass and anglophil, declared in a secret session of the Senate that Argentina would demand from Berlin a promise not to sink more Argentine ships. If not agreed to, relations would be broken off. I recommend refusal and, if necessary, calling in the mediation of Spain.
Luxburg
[Page 323]July 9, 1917.
No. 64. Without showing any tendency to make concessions, postpone reply to Argentine note until receipt of further reports. A change in Ministry is probable. As regards Argentine steamers, I recommend either compelling them to turn back, sinking them without leaving any traces, or letting them through. They are all quite small.
Luxbubg