The sun., 1917-03-31
German Foreign Secretary
Makes Explanatory Speech
in Reichstag.
HE ANSWERS SOCIALIST
Admits Sending "Instruc-
tiOns' to Representative
in Mexico.
JUSTIFIES HOSTILE ACT
Observation-Disclosures Al
lance Planned Only in
Event Of War.
HE ANSWERS SOCIALIST
JUSTIFIES HOSTILE ACT

LONDON, March 3o.-Dr. Alfred Zim-
the German Minister of For
eisn Affairs, told the Reichstag to-day
that the United States practically de-
clared war on Germany when President
Wilson requested neutral nations to sever
relations with Berlin.
According to Reuters Amsterdam cor
respondent. Herr Zimmerman made this
declaration after Hugo Haase. leader of
the Socialist minority in the Reichstag,
had remarked that the German offer Of
an alliance with Mexico had aggravated
the situation with the United States.
Dr. Zimmerman, replying. said:
II wrote no letter to Gen. Carranza. !
was not so naive. merely addressed, by
route that appeared to me to be
safe one, instructions to our representa-
tive in Mexico. 1t is being investigated
now these instructions fell into the hands
Of the American authorities. / instructed
the Minister to Mexico. in the event OF
war with the United States. to propose a
German alliance to Mexico, and stimuli
taneously to suggest that Japan join
tho alliance. I declared expressly that,
despite the submarine war. we hoped
America would maintain neutrality.
MY instructions were to be carried
out only after the United States de-
clared war and . state OF war super
yened. I believe the instructions were
absolutely loyal. as regards the United
States. Gen. Carranza would. up 70
the present, have heard nothing OF It II
the United States had not published the
,n.,ructIons. which came into its hands
In a way which was not unobjectionable.
Our behavior contrasts considerably
with the behavior OF the washington
Government. -.
January 81, 1917, which avoided an aS
yressiveness in tone. deemed II proper
Immediately to break Off relations win
extraordinary roughness. Our Amoas-
sador no longer had the opportunity 10
explain or eluc!date orally our a'utuoe'
The United States Government mus ae-
c,,ned to negotiate with US. On the other
hand II addressed itself Immediately 10
all the neutral Powers to Induce them
10 ioin the United States and break
with US. -,
EVERY unprejudiced person must see
in this the hostile attitude OF ine !H"ier,-
can Government. which seemed 10 con-
slider n right, before being at war with
us. TO set the entire world against US
II cannot deny US the right to seek Al
lies when It has itself practically de-
clared war on u.s."
short Indignation In America.
Herr Haase says 1t caused great In
dignation in America. or course In the
first instance the affair was employed as
an Indictment against US. But mean
while {he storm abated slowly, and the
calm and sensible politicians and also
the great mass of the American people
saw there was nothing to OBJECT 70 IN
these instructions In themselves ] re-
fer especially to the statements OF Sena'
TOR Underwood Even at times newspa
pers felt obliged to admit regretfully
that not 20 very much had been made
Of this affair.
"I was reproached for thinking just
| OF Mexico and Japan. First or all, Mex
leo was a neighboring State TO America
II we wanted allies against America
Mexico would be the frst to come into
| consideration. The relations between
Mexico and ourselves since the time Of
Porfrio Diaz have been extremely
! friendly and trustful. The Mexicans
| moreover. are known as gooo ana en-
| cient soldiers.
at can hardly be said that the rela'
| tions between the United States ant
| Mexico have been friendly and trustful
hut the world knows that antagonisn
exists between America and Japan.
maintain that these antagonisms arr
stronger than those which, despite tht
war, exist between Germany and Japan
Mexico and japan Friendly.
''When I also wished to persuade Car
rama that Japan should Join the al
lance there was nothing extraordinary
in this. The relations between Japai
and Mexico are long existent. The Mex
| leans and Japanese are Of like raci
and good relations exist between bol
countries.
| when, further. the Entente press af
firms that 1t Is shameless to take ava!
allies, such reproach must have q pc
culiar effect coming from Powers, who
| like our enemies, made no scruple II
taking away from US two Powers ant
peoples with whom We were bound b!
| treaties of more than thirty years. Th'
Powers who desire to make plant an OLE
European country of culture like Greco,
by unparalleled and violent means can
not raise such a reproach against us.
"When ! thought Of this alliance will
Mexico and Japan. allowed mysel
to be guided by the consideration tina
our brave troops already have to hgh
against a superior force Of enemie
and my duty IL. as far as possible. to kee
further enemies away from them. Tha
Mexico and Japan suited that purpos
even Herr Haase will not deny.
Thus, considered 1t a patriotic dut!
to release those instructions and hol
to the standpoint that | acted rightly.
The emergency budget voted yes
terdsy, the despatch adds. authorize
), Continued on Second Pd0c.