New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-06
German Opinion
Is Divided on
Mexican Plot
Reventlow Likens Berlin
Policy to Touching Match
to a Powder Cask
Others Offer Defence
"Lokal Anzeiger" Says That
the United States Should
Not Be Provoked

Berlin. March { via London, March
81 While some Of the German papers
have received the news Of the German
Mexican intrigue with comparative IN
difference, others have vigorously de-
rounced the policy OF Foreign Score
tary zimmerman. Count Won Revent'
low. formerly one Of the most ardent
advocates OF unrestricted submarine
warfare and general supporter OF ex-
IRENE measures. writes in the "Tages
Zeitung":
AS result OF the publication Of the
German offer TO Mexico. sentiment,
which has heretofore been divided in
America, is now solidly behind the
President This circumstance or Us
possible results are hardly calculated
TO fill with us with pessimism. How
ever. those circles which have been bss-
ing hopes for the preservation OF peace
on divided public opinion in the United
States are now forced 10 deplore the
turn things have taken. and 10 doubt
the wisdom Of the German policy,
which so far as Mexico is concerned,
may be stigmstized as bringing
lighted match in contact with a powder
cask.
Calls Offer Incomprehensible
Viewed from this angle. the offer TO
Mexico is wholly incOmpre IN
view of Mexican conditions and the
further fact that an allied Mexico held
out no more promise than the ono
which would have exploited automau-
cally a Germau-Americsn war The
offer Of such an alliance would seem
TO rest largely upon lack Of intimate
acquaintance with Mexican affairs and
American relations. Those desiring
policy permitting a return Of the
United States TO normal relations after
the war cannot nelp out Geplore the
German alliance plan from this view
point alone.
Mexico is a frontier neighbor Of the
United States, and the German offer
viii not be forgotten so soon. II Is 70
be deeply deplored that thy Chancellor
and Foreign Secretary neglected TO
seize the opportunity yesterday 20 eN-
press themselves concerning this
episode and their political policies
"Anzeiger" Supports Zimmerman
In opposition TO the "Tages Zeit-
ung" the "Lokal Anzeiger' strongly
supports the policy of Secretary Zim-
mermarn. The "Anzeiger' says:
Americans have not the slightest
reason TO be provoked az our intentions
Without treachery, which brought the
German offer 10 the knowledge Of the
United States government. the Mexican
government would not have learned OF
il until after the United States had de-
clared war on us.
1T is well known that President VII.
son attempted TO incite not only. one
but every neutral state 10 break of
diplomatic relations with Us. This was
a. a time when Germany had not COM
mitted a single hostile act against the
United States. but merely because We
were finally forced TO make use OF
weapon calculated 20 hasten the CON
clusion OF peace. He has now no right
20 complain when We. too. are seeking
allies who might possibly heip US TO
thwart the step he aims 20 undertake
against us
Berne. Mar wa Paris. The
Munich "Neueste Nachrichten." discuss
ing the zimmerman note. denies that
any plot existed on the part OF Ger
many 20 bring about war with America.
but rather that Germany acted out OF
foresight against possible eyentualities
The "Nachrichten' maintains that the
onus for the whole affair rests Oh
President Wilson.
The "Nachrichten" maintains that the
Carranza government was rapidly
establishing its status as an ally worthy
Of Germany, and argues that in view of
the danger that America might join
Germany's foes il was the duty OF the
latter 20 secure new allies.
1T is not only the right but tho
duty" continues the "Nachrichten." OF
"a country involved in n fight FOR its
existence 10 sec 10 IL that new OPP
ponent is kept from attacking il. and.
when that IS impossible, to engage them
Nth NO. f0httno forcoe