The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-20
Evidence That Germans in
Southern Republic Plot
with Carranza
BRITAIN MAY HAVE
TO LAND TROOPS
German Reservists Headed
Toward Mexico-Aim to
Cut Oil Supply

Washington, Feb. 20.--Is Mexican Ger
man intrigue planning blow at the life
artery of Great Britain and in such a
manner as inevitably to involve the
| United States?
With the German situation apparently
in statu quo, with the presidents plans
for addressing Congress unknown and
with Mr.. Wilson making a confidant of
no one, the government is burdened with
fresh worry over developments in Mex
leo. Within 30 days between 200 and 800
German army reservists are known to
have made their way toward Mexico
City from South and Central America
and the West Indies. These men speak
English and Spanish with huency and
are capable of leading any army the
Carranza government or any other fac
ton in Mexico might assemble to repel
troops landed either by Great Britain or
about Tampico.
The evidence of German intrigue in
Mexico has been accommodating since the
return to his country on Jan. of Rafael
Zubaran, former Mexican minister to
Berlin. He was summoned home by
Carranza, so ii was given out in Mexico,
but no explanation of the cause of his
return ever has reached the public.
Meantime the activity OF Carranza in aid
of the German cause has become appar-
ent. 1t was advertised to the world
about week ago by Carranza's address
advising that all neutral nations place
an embargo on the export OF supplies to
the European belligerents. This course,
il followed, would do little or no dam
age to Germany, but of course. would
prove disastrous to the entente allies,
many Of whose people would starve II
deprived OF food from outside.
In addition, Carranza has just signed
a preliminary decree laying an addition
al duty OF 50 per cent gold upon every
barrel of oil exported from the country.
This will make the total tax 50 cents a
barrel. thereby enriching the Carranza
treasury and to that extent depicting
the Golfers of Great Britain, whose navy
is largely dependent upon Mexican oil
for motive power. In conjunction with
the possibility of war between the Unit
ed States and Germany, fresh stories
have appeared in the papers telling of
the presence of German submarines in
or about the waters of the Gulf Of Mex |
leo. These confirm dispatches sent TO
the Boston Transcript some time ago |
out the likelihood that the Ger |
mans were making use of the region of |
the Caribbean sea in which to establish |
bases.
All these incidents point TO system |
attic plan of the German authorities with |
At least the sympathy of many persons
in Mexico. to cut off the British oil sup
ply. American interests are equally in
volved, because some OF the oil compan-
les are owned in this country. IL is held /
TO be clearly the duty of the United |
States to protect the oil fields agains5
attack by land or sea; and whether this
IS so OF not, it is not questioned in well
circles that should German in
.rigue succeed in menacing the Mexican
iii supply Great Britain would not hest
ate to send troops to the Mexican coast
% protect the oil wells and thus insure
continuous flow from the Mexican fields
o the fire rooms of British warships
should any disaster to the oil supply
,ccur. the effect upon the British navy
would not be Immediately serious, be-
ause an immense reserve supply has
,een accumulated in England. and it is
ven estimated that it is enough TO last
year or more.