The Chargé d’Affaires in Argentina (Lorillard) to the Secretary of State
Buenos Aires, December 22, 1914.
[Received January 18, 1915.]
No. 383]
Sir: In continuation of my No. 377 of November 24, 1914,2 respecting Argentine neutrality, I have the honor to report that the Foreign Office has issued a statement to the effect that it has received the German version regarding the execution of the Argentine Vice Consul at Dinant and, after a careful examination of the various testimonies which are highly conflicting, has decided that the matter should be declared closed, especially as no indignities were committed against the flag and shield. While this statement does not meet with general approval, it is clear that no other decision could have been taken under the circumstances.
The battle of the Falkland Islands has considerably improved the situation from the point of view of Argentine neutrality as there does not appear to be any further occasion at present for acts on the part of Germans which might infringe the country’s neutrality. On the other hand that battle has once more brought to prominence the long drawn out question of the sovereignty over those islands. As the Department is probably aware, the Argentine Government at the end of every year has addressed a protest to the British Government against the occupation of the islands which are considered a part of Argentine territory. These annual protests have always been drafted in a formal manner and no replies or even acknowledgements to them have ever been received or were expected. It appears that the protest which will be made the last week of this year will be of a slightly different character and will ask that the British Government agree to compensate Argentina in case the German Government should demand an indemnity from this Government for allowing the British Fleet to violate the neutrality of its territory (Falkland Islands). It is stated in some quarters that the British Government will also be asked to return the islands to Argentina at the close of the war. I do not believe, however, that such a request is contemplated.
There has also been some slight friction between the Argentine and Chilean press owing to the presence of Argentine war vessels in the Straits of Magellan for the purpose of protecting the neutrality of Argentine territory. It is alleged that a small detachment of Argentine marines were landed on a Chilean island and that the Argentine flag was hoisted thereon during the passage of the British [Page 711] Fleet. If any such act did take place the two Governments concerned have decided to let the matter drop and both have issued official statements denying flatly the alleged facts.
The only other recent event of importance concerning neutrality has been the escape of some officers and men of the German auxiliary cruiser Cap Trafalgar who had been interned on Martin Gracia Island (see despatch No. 356, of September 30, 1914).1 The representatives of the Allies have vigorously protested and the guard on the island has been doubled.
I have [etc.]