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

Ao o"iy outward indication that he |
might have been connected with
them is found in the fact that he re- |
Gently had been detached from the
German embassy in Tokyo and was
well acquainted with the Japanese
minister in Mexico City. Carranza's
peace proposal was openly pronounc-
ed an evidence of German influence
In Mexico by officials here, who de-
clared 1t was intended only to embar.
rass the United States. Then appar-
emily some influences showed their
effect on the course of the Mexican
government and on February Is Ca
brera, the minister of finance, issued
q statement describing the amaze
ment'' Of the Mexican government
that the American newspaper should
have interpreted Gen. Carranza's pro-
posal to cut off exports Of munitions
as o suggestion that he might cut off
shipments Of British oil. They were,
Cabrera. declared, entirely ground
less" and that feature Of the situa-
ton ended. There was an intimation
that Germany's astounding proposal
that Japan turn traitor to her allies
was answered by Toyko.
Count Won Bernstorff's connection
with the plot, further than serving as
the channel Of communication. is in
tensified by the fact that the German
embassy here was not merely the me-
dunn Of delivering q message In this
instance but was really a sort of head
quarters for all the German missions
in Central and South America.
The German naval attache, Capt.
Boy-Ed. and the military attache,
Capt. Won Papen. whose recall was
forced by the state department be-
cause Of their military activities in
this country. also were accredited to
Mexico and before the outbreak of
the war and their departure from this
country made at least one visit here.
For months many naval officers
here have believed that the mysterious
German sea raiders Of the South At
lantic must have found base some
where on the Mexican coast, and that
such base could not be main. Y
without the knowledge and conseue or
Mexican officials. Last November the
British charge at Mexico City pre-.
sented to the Carranza foreign Office
a notification that If it was discovered
that Mexican neutrality thus had
been violated the allies would take
drastic measures to prevent a con.
tinuance Of that situation.
In note almost insolent in tone
Foreign Minister Aguilar replied to
the charge that, IL in effect, it was the
business of the allies to keep subma-
rines out of western waters, and that
II they were not kept out Mexico
would adopt whatever course the cir
cumstances might command.
To German influence also have
oeen attributed in some quarters the
vigorous steps taken by the de facto
hnance minister to force loans from
the Banco Nacional and the Bank of
London and Mexico, owned by French
and British capital. The institutions
We're closed by the Mexican author
itles and some Of their officers impris-
oned and held for weeks despite re-
peated protests by France, Great Brit
ain and the United States.
Reports Of German machine guns
and German gunners in the Carranza
army also have been persistent, al
though the relative importance to
the proposed alliance Is not fully es-
tablished. 1t was recalled tonight, too
that last November when the Mexi-
can-American joint commission was
making its futile effort to adjust the
differences between the two countries,
the Austro-Hungarian ambassador a,
Mexico City. Count Kalman Volkanys
made trip to the United States on
what he described as a secret mis-
siOn."
A suggestion interpreted by some of
hcials as an indication that Germany
might have made approaches to Mex
leo at that time was made b. Cabrera.
IN VI address at Philadelphia on
No, mber 10.
he foes OF the United States will |
certainly assume to be friends Of Mex
ico,' said Mr.. Cabrera, "and will try
10 take advantage OF any sort Of re-
sentiment Mexico may have against
the United States. Mexico, neverthe-
less, understands in case OF a conflict
between the United States and any |