The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-03-03


plans for stirring strife on every
continent where 1t might aid her in
the struggle for world domination
which she dreamed was close at hand
It adds . climax to the operations Of
Count vop Bernstorff and the German
embassy in this country. which havc
been colored with passport frauds,
charges Of dynamite plots and in
trigue. the full extent OF which never
has been published.
I It gives new credence to persistent
reports Of submarine bases on Mexican
territory in the Gulf Of Mexico; it
takes cognisance of a fact long recog-
mixed by American army chiefs. that
II Japan ever undertook to invade the
United States 1t probably would lie
through Mexico. over the border and
into the Mississippi valley to split the
country in two. II recalls that Count
Won Bernstorff when handed his pass
ports was very reluctant to return to
Germany. but expressed preference
for asylum In Cuba. It gives a new
explanation to the repeated arrests on
the border Of men charged by Ameri-
can military authorities with being
German intelligence agents.
Last Of all, It seems to show con-
nection with Gen. Carranza's recent
proposal to neutrals that exports of
food and munitions to the entente al
lies be cut of, and an intimation that
he might stop the supply of oil. SO
vital to the British navay. which is
exported from the Tampico fields.
What congress will do and how
members OF congress who openly have
sympathized with Germany in their
opposition to clothing the president
with full authority to protect Ameri-
can rights will regard the revelations
Of Germany's machinations to attack
the United Sttaes IL the subject to-
night Of keenest interest.
Such a proposal as Germany in
structed her minister to make to Mex
leo borders on an act Of war, IL ac-
tually 1t is not one.
No doubt exists here now that the
persistent reports during the last two
years Of the operations Of German
agents not alone In Mexico but all
through Central America and the
West Indies are based on facts There
Is now no doubt whatever that the
proposed alliance with Mefico was
known to high Mexican officials who
are distinguished for their anti -Ameri-
canism.
Among them are Rafael Zubaran,
Carranza's minister to Germany, and
Luis Cabrera. Carranza's minister of
finance.
1t Is apparent that the proposal had
taken definite form when Zubaran re-
turned to Mexico City from Berlin re-
Gently. His return from his foreign
post was covered by the fact that
Carranza had called In many Of his
diplomats for conferences" Some
time before that CABRERA. while still
at Atlantic City in the conference Of
the American-Mexic Joint commits
sion. had suggested in a guarded way
to member Of the American section
that he regretted that tho commission
had not succeeded fully in settling the
difficulties between Mexico and the
United states.\ for he said. he had
hoped 1t might continue It's work anu
make peace for the world.
When pressed for some details of
how the commission could restore
world peace. Cabrera suggested that
the American republics controlled the
destiny Of the war by controlling a
large part of its supplies. Mexico. he
intimated. might do her part by cut
ting off exports OF oil. The Ameri-
can commissioners dismissed his ideas
as visionary.
Almost coincident with Zubaran's
return from Germany, Cabrera re-
turned to Mexico City. open In his
expressions OF anti-Americanism
Auoaran. before being sent abroad
mad represented Gen. Carranza here,
while the Niagara conferences were
proceeding and was no less avowedly
anti-American than Cabrera.
Meanwhile. Baron Won Schoen. Sec
re'ary of the German eda>sss, here.
was transferred to tho legation In Mex
leo City No explanation could be OBJ
'aihed or the reason for his transfer
and such investigation as was possible
rallied to develop why a secretary from
the United States should be sent to
the German legatio, In Mox,,~ r,x..