Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 March 1917 — COUNTRIES ARE IN LEAGUE AGAINST U. S. [ARTICLE]

COUNTRIES ARE IN LEAGUE AGAINST U. S.

Germany, Japan and Mexico To Make war Un L. S. According to Conspiracy—U. S. Gets Proof. The Associated Press is enabled to reveal that Germany in planning unrestricted warfare and counting its consequences, proposed an alliance with Mexico and Japan to make war on the United Spites, if this country should not remain neutral. Japan, through Mexican fnediation, was to be urged to abandon her allies and join in the attack on the United States. : ~

* for her reward, was to receive general financial support from Germany, reconquer Texas, New Mexico and Arizona—lost provinces—and share in the victorious peace terms Germany contemplated. Details were left to German Minister von Eckhardt, in Mexico City, who by instructions signed by German foreign minister Zimmerman, at Berlin, Jan. 19, 1917, was directed to propose the alliance with Mexico, to General Carranza and suggest that Mexico seek to bring Japan into the plot, pictured to Mexico, by broad intimation, England and the entente allies defeated; Germany and her allies triumphant and in world domination by the instrument of unrestricted submarine warfare. A copy of Zimmerman’s instructions to Voa Eckhardt, sent through Von Bernstorff,is in possession of the United States government. It is as follows: “Berlin, Jan. 19, 1917. “On the first of February we intend to begin submarine warfare unrestricted. In spite of this, it is our intention to endeavor to keep neutral the United States of America. “If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance on the following basis with Mexico: That we shall make war together and together make peace. We shall give general financial support and it is understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement.

“You are instructed to inform the president of Mexico of the above in the greatest confidence as soon as it is certain that there wilt be an outbreak of war with the United States and suggest that the president of Mexico, on his own initiative, should communicate with Japan suggesting adherence to this plan at once, at the same time, offer to mediate between Germany and Japan. “Please call to the attention of the president of Mexico that the employment of ruthless submarine warfare now promises to compel England to make peace in a few months. (Signed.) “Zimmerman.” The document has been in the hands of the government since President Wilson broke off diplomatic relations with Germany. It has been kept secret while the president has been asking congress for full authority to deal wtih Germany and while congress has been hesitating. It was in the president’s hands while Chancellor Von Bethmann-Hollweg was declaring that the United States had placed an interpretation on the submarine declaration “never intended by Germany,” and that Germany had promoted and honored friendly relations with the United States “as an heirloom with Fredrick the Great.”

Of itself, if there were no other, it is considered a sufficient answer to the German chancellor’s play that the United States “brusquely” broke off relations without giving “authentic" reasons for its action.