The Washington herald., 1917-03-02
WILSON NOBTAINS
GRIP ON SOLONS;
TO Arm VESSELS
Conspiracy Disclosures Re-
store Presidents Influence
and Action Follows.
LATIN AMERICA INVOLVED
Revelations Also Show Teuton
Schemes Extended Through
Southern Continent.
NAVY WILL PROTECT SHIPS
Lansing Reiterates Truth of Stories
Concerning German Minister Note
LATIN AMERICA INVOLVED
NAVY WILL PROTECT SHIPS
Lansing Reiterates Truth of Stories
Concerning German Minister'S Note
to His Ambassador in Mexico.

w hS FhhhOooSo0OI NlCAlSO.
President Wilson's personal con-
trihution to the amazing annals of
German intrigue restored his grip in
Congress last night and resulted in
the following Developments:
Passage in the House of the bill
giving him authority to arm mer-
chant ships, by vote of 4o3 to I3.
Authorization by Secretary Of
State Lansing of the Zimmermann-
Eckhardt proposal, in response to a
Senate resolution.
Revelation that German machina-
tions extended throughout Central
AZ -, Cuba, and to a lesser extent
to South America.
Navy completes plans for arming
merchant ships.
Sensational Debate,
The action Of Congress came last night
after a day OF sensational debate in both
House and Senate. chara cterized by sharp
clashes between pacifsts and administra-
ton supporters, and showing that the
Senate doubted the authenticity Of the
Zimmerman dispatch, despite the infor-
NAL assurance of its accuracy given by
Senator Swanson. on behalf of the Presi-
dent, in the morning.
In the meanwhile, the President and
State Department officials waited grim
ly. They were at first inclined to resent
the apparent questioning of the authen-
ticity of the dispatch and of the motives
NnTkNN NNNH lel
pocketed their anger in view OF later de-
velopments. although even now, the
situation in neither House or Senate is
entirely satisfa ctory to them.
While officials do not concede that the
publication of the sensational dispatch
was permitted for the purpose OF restor-
ing administration dominance in Con-
gress. and of silencing the pacifists, it is
known that this is the case Reports are
practically wrote the story as it appear
ed.
Policy Quickened.
The whole administration policy to-
wards Germany has been quickened and
stimulated as result of the sensational
development. 1t will strengthen the
policy of arming merchant ships. officials
intimate, and may lead to war in the not
distant future. In the meantime, the
army and navy will be given instruction
to redouble their measures of prepara-
ton for eventualities,
Secretary Lansing declined last night TO
tell the source from which the thinner
MANN Eckhardt dispatch came into the
hands of the American government, but
stated in his letter to the Senate that it
had been procured during the present
week Various reports attribute it to the
British and to the American secret SER
vice, and it is suggested that Amba ssa dor
Fletcher may have gotten a copy of 1t in
Mexico City.
It is believed that President Wilson has
made his final effort to preserve peace
with Germany and is fully reconciled now
to the prospect OF war with Germany
should it be forced upon the United
States.
Issue Becomes Clear.
Gradually the full scope of the German
efforts to involve the United States hone
lessly with Japan, Mexico and all Central
America became apparent last night, and
an amazing tangle of intrigue stirred
Washington to its official depths Formal
affirmation by Secretary Of State Lam
sing, and President Wilson, of the
authenticity of the German communica-
ton proposing a German -Mexican-Jap-
anese alliance to make war on the
United States. was followed by develop
ments which demonstrated that the Ger
man efforts extended to practically all
of the Central American nations. While
the President and his advisers declared
that the revelation of the plot had de-
feated it, 1t was clear that vigorous
steps to meet the situation in Mexico
and other American nations had been
taken.
The President and his advisers took
the position last night that the unearth-
ing of the German intrigue had resulted
in concentrating the support of the entire
country behind the President in the pres
ent international crisis. They likewise
believed that it would result in drawing
closer together the United States and
Mexico and the United States and
Japan, following the reputation of the
plot by both of those countries.
Action in Cuba.
Last night it became known that the
administration has taken steps to meet
the possible effect Of German intrigue
iii Cuba. Despite the refusal Of the
State Department to discuss the Cuban
situation, it was known that the present
revolt against the Cuban government has
been the source of grave anxiety. TIE
Navy Department let 1t be known tina.
at the instance of the State Department,
CONTINUED ON PAGE Two.