The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-03-08
AT Same Time They
Were Courting Car
rama, Says Writer
INTRIGUE STILL
BEING CARRIED ON
Thousands of Dollars
Are Being Spent to
Push Propaganda
BY WEBB G. MILLER.

(staH Correspondent United Press.)
LAREDO. Tex, March Ser
many is playing Villa against Car
rama. Great sums u German
money arc pouring into the bandit
leaders hands. melting him to ac-
tiyity against the United states and
against CaIranza, while at the same
time German agents work thru ON
cials OF the Carranza government
seeking 20 align that side against
the United States
Just back from 4 trip TO ;he In
terror OF Mexico, ! can state these
facts on the highest authority:
Agents OF the German government
in Mexico approached Franclyeo
Villa at hts headquarters AZ Bustil-
los ranch about Feb. y. with a
proposition 10 renew his raids on
ihe border In case Oi declaration
ot war between the United States
and GcrnAny. The German agents
reached the bandit leader. The con-
ference extended over two days
Az frst villa dcmurred against
any attack on the border IN force.
under any circumstances Az length
an agreement was reached that IN
case OF vsv villa would sent snsali
bands, as unattached bandits 10
operate q widely separated points
siong the International line and Go
make sporadic forays 10 harass
American troops.
Under the terms OF agreement,
the German agcuts promised 20 pay
villa 500 900 pesos 1880 .00Ol IN
sold AZ once 10 seal the compact.
lie refused 10 enter into the plot
until the arst payment was handed
ever. They agreed TO pay y large
amount each month thereafter In
case OF war 10 enable Villa 90 pay
biz men. cecure ammunition and
build up hiE shattered forces for a
campaign. After orders from For.
elgn Secretary Zir mermann reach
ed Mexico City for an attempt 10
arrange an alliance with Mexico and
Japan. the villa scheme was one Of
the hrst moves ono secret agent
was sent north from ihe capital 20
San Luis Potosi, whers he met an.
other. Prom Parud. 10th Travelled
by horseback 10 Bustillo's ranch.
about 90 l1iies west OF chihuahua
Chy AZ tais point villa was max.
Ing his headquarters Al that time
The villa plan was TO be used
chiefly in the event Of failure 20 in
duce Carranza 10 enter an intrigue
asainst thu United States and a. A
possible means OF bringing pressure
"a bear on Carrauza n was hopso
a. involve ,he de facto government
and the United States in new. seri-
Gus complications. making the re.
teniion of largo part Of the army
sIong the border necessary. That
friction between CarranEs and tbs
| United States would tend 20 weak.
en- the dc facto power was pointed
out 70 vnlq by the German agents.
Already the German cabal In the
Mexican capital had set active uo.
cergrouud influences 10 work upon
the hrst chief and his advisers 20
induce them 20 ccnsent TO an ALI
ance.
The famous note sent by Carran-
IN 10 the nesfral powers, asking
them to unite in refusing TO furnish
supplies 20 bellIgerent countries.
wss engineered by the German prop
agandisis. II was the original In.
teation to lead thee nrstc hief 10
order tho cil fields Of Tampico 10
be cIoaed 70 export. This was later
modified TO tho form in which II
va. sent because most Of tho nelds
are owned by English companies
and a larso amount OF the oil is
used BY the English fleets, and such
action. therefore, would have
brought complications between Eng
land and Mexico.
Among onlcials IN Mexico Chy
roriee ars Ahoat that two govern
ment officials in tho FIRST chiefs I'm
mediate circle OF influential men
were cooperating directly with Ger.
man agents One u the newHpa-
pers IN the capital IA said 10 be un-
der subsidy to the Germans TO
rrint news from the German angle.
In other WAYS Germany money and
influence are Al work &c sway The
actions ~ the Dc fsctc government
Such eYorrs are rendered compafa'
lively military and political lesdefe
Stringent milhst censorship ~
- 49, x~