CHARGE OF PARTIALITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16338, 19 September 1916, Page 8

CHARGE OF PARTIALITY.

ALLIES' NOTE TO SWEDEN. PRIVILEGES TO GERMANY. 1 —— ACRIMONIOUS DISCLAIMER. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. September 17. The allies' Note to Sweden protesting against Sweden's measures for regulating the navigation of territorial waters in the Baltic shows that the French Note declared: Firstly, Sweden prevents submarine navigation in territorial waters except by German submarines which employ a commercial pretext; secondly, Sweden reserves a route through the mine field in the Kogund Pass for Swedish vessels exclusively, which is contrary to the FrancoSwedish commercial treaty; thirdly, Sweden thus closes against other than Swedish vessels the only route from The Sound to the Baltic, which is out of reach of German war vessels, but keeps open Kalmar Strait, which is accessible to Swedish and German vessels only. It is even stated that German vessels have been provided with escort as a protection against Russian warships. Sweden thus completes Germany's Baltic barrier'between the Russians and the AngloFrench. Consequently Sweden's attitude towards one group of belligerents is incompatible with fair and impartial neutrality. Sweden's reply is couched in acrimonious language. It strongly disputes the charges of partiality, and states that Sweden cannot discuss the subject. The reply declares that the allegations are based on imperfect knowledge of the facts and an isolated instance, and adds: "She is the sole judge of how legitimately to preserve her rights and discharge her duties." ONLY HOLE IN THE RING. , CLOSING WILL SHORTEN WAR (Rocd! 5.5 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, Sept. 17. The Norwegian newspaper Morgenbladet states that owing to the allies' Note to Sweden and England's strengthened blockade against Norway, Scandinavia must expect severe months, but will meet them in joint fellowship. Scandinavia is now the only hole in the ring surrounding the Central Powers. Britain's policy is to close this hole because it is believed that is the only way to shorten the war.