The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-14
Germans Trying to Keep Uncle
Sam Busy at Home.
WILL ENGLAND RESENT ACT?
CarranZa Would Close Supply
From British Oil Lands.
kaiser's Agents Are Back of
MexicO'S Anti-Allies Move.
BY CARL ID. GROAT.
United Press Staff Correspondent

Washington, Feb. 14.-German in
fluence was seen today in Cuban and
Mexican troubles.
AS officials Viewed conditions to the
south of this nation. it appeared more
than likely that Germany was stirring
Up trouble there to keep the United
States engaged in nearer home affairs,
SO she would pay less attention to Ger
man acts on the ocean.
Evident German pressure on Cen
eral Carranza has already had the eff
feet of forcing British consideration of
landing troops at Tampico TO protect
tie oil wells supplying Englands big
navy, according to intimations in dip
lomatic quarters.
AS for Cuba. the situation may be-
come such that American interference
will be necessary, tho as the revolt
there stands now, intervention is not
yet required.
Americans Killed on Border.
Border activities with unofficial re-
ports of killing of three Americans
served to accentuate the Mexican
problem. 1t is known that the war
department is keeping an extra care
full watch on the boundary, for fear
that trouble involving the United
States will again break out.
In connection with the Mexican
problem, it was recalled today that a
German embassy agent was in close
and almost constant touch with the
M INSTRUMENTATION peace commission
when it sat at Atlantic City.
1t is known too that some of Cen
era1 Ca1ranza's followers have felt
that German and Japanese support
were with the eonstitutionalist gov
eminent.
While cabinet members have ex-
pressed doubt that Great Britain will
land troops to protect British oil in
terests at Tampico. it is more than q
idly on, # Carranza carries out any
plan of stopping her rich oil supplies
from going forward from Tampico.
Monroe Doctrine Bobs Up.
In these circumstances, it will be up
to the United States to take a hand
or else England will undoubtedly do
the task herself. The possibility OF
such foreign interference in the new
world constituted a source of perplex-
ity here.
There can be no mistaking that gov
eminent officials here feel that Ger
many is behind General Carranza's re-
cent anti-ally activity, and while they
do not take his embargo suggestions
seriously, they do fear for what he
might SUR up III FAVOR OF germany
and against both the United States
and the entente allies.
From Cuba the state department is
receiving reports of the revolution. but
thus far is keeping them for the most
part under cover, along with discus
sion as to policy.
Will U. S. and Austria Break?
While these big international posi-
bilities shape themselves, the govern
ment has under consideration still the
Yarrowdale prisoners, the matter OF
arming merchantmen and the question
of break with Austria.
The Yarrowdale question doomed
large, but its effect on future relations
with Germany will be charted only
after this government knows full par
ticulars of American treatment of Ger
mans in island possessions.
Many Problems on Tap.
This government wants first to be
sure Germany has no ground for pro-
test Detention of prisoners in time
front, tho there is reason to believe
Germany will not persist long in her
position.
The state department is anxious to
hear from Ambassador Elkus to Tur-
key as he has not communicated
since the German break-perhapS be-
cause the central powers are inter-
fering.
The armed ship question is likely
to be settled soon; there are no signs
that there is any change of policy to-
ward providing guns directly or indi-
rectly from the navy's supply.