New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-31
Zimmerman
Says y. S. Is to
Blame for War
Relations Broken Of with
"Roughness," Says
Secretary
Tried to Rouse
Neutral Opposition
Admits He Sought Aid of
Mexicans and Japanese,
of Same Race

London, March 60. Reuters Amster-
dam correspondent sends the following
concerning the address of DR.. Alfred
Zimmerman. Minister Of Foreign Al
fairs, with regard 20 Germany's attempt
70 embroil Mexico and Japan with the
United States:
Hugo Hasse. leader of the Socialist
minority in the Relchstag, remarked
that the German offer of an alliance
with Mexico had aggravated the situa'
ton with the United States, and Dr.
Zimmerman, replying, said:
81 wrote no letter TO General Car
rama. | was not so naive. ! merely
addressed. by route that appeared 70
me to be a safe one. instructions 20 our
representative in Mexico. II is being
Investigated how these instructions iel
into the hands of the American author
tiles. instructed the Minister TO Mex
ico. in the event of war with the United
States. 20 propose German alliance TO
Mexico. and simultaneously 10 suggest
that Japan join the alliance. declared
expressly that, despite the submarine
war. we hoped America would MAINTAIN
neutrality.
Leak Not UnobjectiOnable
My instructions were TO be carried
out only after the United States de-
clared war and state OF war super
vened. I believe the instructions were
absolutely loyal, as regards the United
States. General Carranza would, up to
the present. have heard nothing OF II II
the United States had not published the
instructions. which came into It's hands
in wav which was not unobJeetlon-
able. Our behavior contrasts consid-
erably with the behavior Of the Wash
ingtoR- government.
"President Wilson. after our note Of
January 81. 1917, watch avoided all ag-
gressiveness in tone, deemed proper
Immediately 20 break OF relations with
extraordinary roughness. Our amoas-
ssdor no longer had the opportunity 10
explain or elucdste orally our attitude
The United States government thus de-
clined 10 negotiate with US. On tne
other hand it addressed itself Immed'-
setly 20 all the neutral powers 70 III
duce them TO join the United States
and break with US.
Every unprejudiced person must see
in this the hostile attitude OF the
American government, which seemed 10
consider il right before being at war
with us to set the entire. world sgainst
us IL cannot deny US the right 10
seek allies when il has itself practi-
cally declared war on us.
Nothing TO Object To-
Herr Haase says it caused great in
d;cnation in America. Of course In the
frst instance. the affair was employed
as an incitement against US. but
meanwhile the storm abated SLOWLY.
and tho calm and sensible politicians
and also the great mass Of the Sinerl-
can neople. saw there was nothing 20
chico. 20 in ihese instructions IN thenl-
selves refer especially 10 the state
msnfs of Senator Underwood. Even a.
times newspapers felt obliged to adm';
regretfully that not so very mCeh hsu
been made Of this affair.
- was repyoached for ;ninhinG Just
~ Vexico and Japan. First OF all
Uoxico was A reighboring state 20
sMe,ica If we wanted allies against
America Mexico would be the frst 20
80 VITO consideration. The relations
hetu-eer Mexico and ourselves since the
time of Porfrio piaz have been eX-
.remely friendly and trustful Inc
Nfexicans. moreover. sre known as good
ard efficient soldiers.
at can hardly be said ths. me re.a,
.:ons botvcen the United states and
Mexico have been friend,y and trust
ful. but The world knows that an:ag-
orisro exists between America ard
Iapan. maintain that these antago-
risms are stronger than those which. de-
spite The war. exist between Germany
and Japan.
Two Nations OF Like Race"
when also wished 20 persuade
Csrranza that Japan should join the
alliance there was nothing cNtraordi-
nary in this. The relations between
Japsn and Mexico arc long existent
The Mexicans and Japanese are OF
like race and good relations exist be
tween both countries.
"When further the Entente press a.
firms that y is shameless 20 take away
allies. such reproach must have Pc
c,liar efcc: coming from power who,
l;ke our enemies. made 70 scruple IN
taking away from us TWO powers and
neonles with whom We were bound o.
tres,ies OF more than thirty years. Tho
rovers Who desire 20 make plant an
old European country OF culture Ike
Creece by unparalleled and violent
r.eans cannot raise such rcprosch
against Us.
"When thought Of this alliance
with Mexico and Japan, ! allowed my
self 10 he guided b. the consideration
that our brave troops already have to
FIGHT against a superior force Of enc
mics and my duty is. as far rs pos
sible, 10 keep further enemies away
from them. That Mexico and Japan
suited that purpose even Herr Haase
viii not deny.
"Thus, considered IL a patriotic
duty 10 release those instructions. and
| hold 10 the standpoint that | acted
rightly"
Tho emergency budget voted yester-
Gay. the dispatch adds. authorized tho
Imperial Chancellor 20 meet the cur
rent expenditures Of the empire for the
months Of April. May and June. The
Reichstag continued the debate on the
Foreign Office budget to-day