The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-03-04
CARRANZAL0NG
TOOL OF BERLIN
First Chiefs Replies to U. s.
Are Dictated by German
OverlOlNs.
MYSTERY Is CLEARED Up
State Department UncOvers
Mass Of Evidence Showing
Mexican Pcrfidy.

/ WASHINGTON. March 3-The State
Department and number Of foreign
embassies here are in possession of facts
showing that Venustiano Carranza. First
Chief Of the Mexican Constitutionalists.
will have to be reckoned with as possi-
BILE ally Of Germany in the event OF hos
, tilties.
| 1t now develops that the State Depart
ment obtained Information weeks ago
showing that German officials were not
only inspiring Carranza's replies to
American communications but that in
one instance the German Minister actu.
ally dictated Carranza's reply. This
WAS in response to friendly warning
from the United States Government to
the effect that German submarines were
can coast.
! The reply came back that the United
states Government should address itself
10 Great Britain and ask why the Brit.
ish navy did not prevent the submarines
from coming over instead Of asking Mex.
leo about II. The tenor OF this inex plea.
BILE despatch for = long time puzzled
the state Department. Now the matter
/ has been cleared MP.
There is no confirmation yet Of the re-
ports that the German intrigue against
the United States has extended beyond
Mexico. But inquiries In Latin Ameri-
I can diplomatic circles to-day developed
! the important fact that First Chief Car
| ranza has been actively cooperating with
/ Germany in efforts to influence South
and Central American republics on be-
/ half of the Teuton cause.
| Reliable information received here
| tends to show that the Carranza Gov
ernment has already signifed it's will
ingness to act virtually as an ally to
Germany in case circumstances SO shape
themselves as to permit effective assist
ance being rendered. Carranza has
| been suspected for some time, but the re-
ports which have reached the representa-
tives of the South American countries
are by far the most ominous yet received
! Of the situation south OF the Rio Grande
| IL WAS pointed uut In diplomatic circles
that it might be embarrassing now Tor
Carranza officially TO repudiate the Ger
man suggestion of an alliance, as It
might Offset the effect of the campaign
| which he has apparently already begun
| with the assistance OF German repre-
sentatives in nearly all the Latin Amer
lean capitals.
This prediction was based on dlplo-
matte advices which have been received
here from South and Central America.
Color was lent to such theory this eve
ming when r. p. De Negri. in charge or
the Mexican Embassy here, made public
the following telegram. dated March 2,
from C. Aguilar. Secretary Of Foreign
| Affairs of Mexico:
cup to to-day the Mexican Govern.
ment has not received from the Imperial
German Government any proposition Of
alliance"
1t is to be particularly noted that the
Mexican Foreign Office refrains from in
dcating whether or not such an alliance
| would be welcome. In striking contrast
to Japan's indignant reputation of the
plan the Government of Mexico simply
declines to give any indication of its fu-
ture intentions. The reason which
caused Mr. De Negri to hesitate about
making a statement now seems to be
clear. Apparently he felt it was too
delicate a matter to comment on without
first having the permission Of his Gov
ernment.
Two Diplomntic GO-betweens.
1t is known that Herr Zimmerman
and Foreign Secretary Won Jagow both
have succeeded in reaching CarranZa's
ear with proposals that he rely upon
Germany's assistance. in return for
which he was to extend a friendly aid 10
the German cause and in effect become
Berlin's chief supporter on the American
continent The German influences have
lately worked through Luis Cabrera
Minister OF Finance, and Mr.. Zubaron
the Mexican Minister to Germany, who
has lust returned to Mexico city from
Berlin.
In response to suggestions from Wash
ington certain diplomats here have can
vassed the situation relative to Mexican
and German activities in the Latin Amer
ican capitals, with the result that CO.
operation between Carranza and Berlin
has been virtually established. When
Carranza sent his identIc note to the
Powers urging an embargo on exports "a
the belllgerelts the impression became
widespread tn Ut this action had been in
spired by Berlin. The effect of it would
; have been tolcut off much needed sup
niles for the Entente. and incidentally tc
have given Carranza an excuse for shut.
ting down Gr@at Brtain's oil supply from
; the vicinity o{ Tampico,
But il is noE learned that after the re.
ceipt of the ,Carranza note in certain
Latin American capitals the German dip
. lomatic representatives there took up the
matter and pleaded that the Carranzs
note be given consideration. German
and Mexican diplomatic officers worked
hand in glove on the proposition The
, Carranza note was soon regarded as
Joint German Mexican proposal. and TO
this reason was at once regarded with
suspicion In several instances.
The extent OF the danger to the United
J States which might be involved In Car
, ranza's tacit alliance with Berlin is no
being minimized, but, on the other hand
ID M, Thi,d Doo-