BRITAIN AND SWEDEN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2860, 26 August 1916, Page 10

BRITAIN AND SWEDEN

THE PARCELS-MAIL DISPUTE

FURTHER LIGHT ON THE CORRESPONDENCE

Anslralian-Xew Zealand Cable Association. London, August '24. Further details of the correspondence between Britain and Sweden relating to Sweden's detention of British parcel mails to Russia as a reprisal tor the notion of the British in searching Sweden's parcel mail for contraband, shows that \ iscount Grey pointed out that while Sweden continued to detaiu parcel mail sho kept alight a smouldering irritation which might cause serious ditticulties. Viscount Grey oil April 25 offered arbitration after the war if Sweden found the Prize Court decisions unsatisfactory, but Sweden only agreed to submit the present case to arbitration, threatening counter-measures if future cases arose. He refused to allow the case to be regarded as a test case on the whole British iNaval policy, and refused to promise any limitation of future action. Viscount Grey on June I!) informed Sweden that, as satisfaction had not been received, Britain demanded the immediate release of the mails, and also notified that she would claim damages, but Swdn repeated tier refusal to resume the transmission of postal parcels generally. Viscount Grey then notified the withdrawal of all the arbitration offers, and formally claimed damages, also additional damages under 'the requirements of international comity. Sweden on July 2-1 replied pointing out that consignments to Russia had ceased for several months, because Russia was using other routes, and agreeing not to retaliate for British measures taken to date; also requesting a renewal of the arbitration negotiations. The correspondence closes with Viscount Grey's offer to keep the arbitration offer open as long as Sweden fqrn'arded parcels in the regular way, and a request for a statement of Sweden's intentions in connection therewith. '