South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-03-02
Officials Treat Denial of Count
Won ECkhardt As a Joke
Since They Have
Full Proof.
AMERICAN ASKED TO
ACT AS GERMAN SPY
John D. Mathis of Chicago
Fell in With the Plan and
Secured Valuable Infor-
nation in Mexico.
international NeVs Service
~ e-LLrA-..moA- .r-.---L-

nNnrNafAUNH. NNMN service
WASHINGTON March - Ar
rangements TO put into effect the
policy OF armed neutrality against
Germany wait the word of Pres't
Wilson. The plans OF the navy are
complete Within half an hour
after the order is issued 20 arm
American merchantmen the At
lantic yards OF the department will
be at work.
Administration leaders in congress
were working overtime today 10 ex-
pedite the legislation demanded by
the chief executive. IT is 20 be en-
crossed as soon as finally approved
by both houses and will Immediately
be signed shortly thereafter the
orders 10 arm American ships viii
issue from the white house. Then
the issue viii again he passed d.
rectly 20 Germany
What additional steps besides
furnishing guns ammunition and
experienced gunners viii be- taken
is known only 20 the president and
his advisers. They have worked out
all Of their plans behind the curtain
Of absolutely necessary secrecy. But,
IL Is known that nothing has been
left undone TO safeguard the Inter
ests OF the United states no home
and abroad
Can Handle SiuatiOn.
The fact that the white house
confidently announces that there
will be no extra session Of congress
"at this time" indicates that the
president believes that he can han
die an expected developments The
work OF general preparedness has
been greatly simphhed by the pas
sage Of the new revenue bin which
furnished the sinews OF war for ak
Of the national defense program.
So far as the German plot 90 In
yolve the United States into war
with Japan and Mexico is con
cerned r. was stated AT the state
department today that there is
nothing 10 add TO Secy Lansing
letter 70 the senate which confirmed
the authenticity Of the Zimmermaa
letter 90 the German minister az
Mexico CITY The administration
it was explained. is not DESTROYS az
the present moment Or permitting
details of German anti-American
Noting 20 become public. IL may
be- that further revelations can be
made. Sec'y Lansing said today. but
at present it would be unwise 30 add
ANYTHING 20 the plot details already
known.
Laugh az Denial
Officials laughed when they read
the denials hy Count Won Eckhardt.
German minister az Mexico city.
that he had ever received the Zim-
norman letter The proof In the
hands Of the state department re-
gardinp the document carries b. d.
rectly from The foreign office in
Berlin % this city and then 90 Mex
fco CITY. 20 which point 10 was sent
by special messenger commits
sionedbv Count Won BernstOrff him
self. The exact hour and place ot
delivery. together with the names
OF the Mexicans who were approach
ed by Won Eckhardt are known 90
the department Bur because of the
fact that il might result in the as
eassinatlon ~ the men responsible
the facts discovered are withheld
The attitude OF Japan toward the
proposal is pleasing 20 officials here
They say that the prompt manner
i'm which the local embassy. disre-
garding precedents 90 discuss
matter thar concerned directly the
home government AZ Toxic. repudi-
ated the suggestion that any such
proposition would be considered IN
any way has done much % cement
the good feelings between the Two
countries.