The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-03-01
Germany Prepared Such a
Plot, with Her Support,
Several Weeks Ago
BERNSTORFF SENT
SCHEME WHILE HERE
Message Prepared by Foreign Secretary
zimmerman ercepted-Invasion of
the United States Part of the Pro
posal.

the United States Part of the Pro
posal
WASHINGTON, March /. - The As
sociated Press is enabled to reveal that
Germany, IN planning unrestricted sub
marine warfare and counting its con
sequences, proposed an alliance with
Mexico and Japan to make war on the
United States if this country should
mot remain neutral. Japan, through
Mexican mediation, was to be urged to
abandon her allies and join in the at
tack on the United states.
Mexico for her reward was to receive
general financial support from Germany,
lreconquer Texas, New Mexico and Ari-
zona-lost provinces and share in Il z
victorious peace terms Germany con
| templated.
Details were left to German Minister
von Eckhardt in Mexico City, who, b.
instructions signed by German Foreign
Minister Zimmerman at Berlin Jan
Iuary 10, 1917, was directed to propose
| the alliance with Mexico to General
| Calranza and suggest that Mexico seek
Ito bring Japan into the plot. These in
lstUctions were transmitted to Won Eek
hardt through Count Won Bernstorff,
former German ambassador here, now
on his way home to Germany under a
Isafc conduct obtained from his enemies
by the country against which he was
4 plotting war.
i Germany pictured to Mexico by broad
jntimation England and the entente al
lies defcated Germany and her allies
triumphant and the world domination
Ihy the instrument of unrestricted sub
marine warfare.
4 copy OF Zimmerman S instructions
20 Won Eekhardt sent through Won
l5eruStorff, is In possession OF the Unit
a States government.
1t has been in the hands Of the GOV
ernment since President Wilson broke
eff diplomatic relations with Germany.
1t has been kept secret while the rrpsi-
dent has been asking congress for full
authority to deal with Germany and
while congress has been hesitating it
was in the president S hands while
Chancellor Won Bethman Hollweg was
declaring that the United States had
lplaccd an Interpretation on the subma-
Iinc declaration " never intended by
Germany ~ nmd - that Gc4mgpv had pro
moted and honored Friendly relations
with the United States as an heirloom
from Frederick the Great.
OF itself, ii there were no other, il
is considered a sufficient answer to the
German chancellor 5 plant that the
nited States brusquely broke of
Irclations without giving "authcntic
REASONS for its action.
The document supplies the missing
I Ink to many separate chains of cireum.
stances which until now have seemed
10 lead to no definite point 1t shed,
new light upon the frequently reported
, but indefnable movements of the Mcxi
can government to couple its situation
with the friction between the United
States and Japan. Ii adds another chap
: ter to the celebrated report of julie!
: Cambon, French ambassador in Berlin
; before the war, of Germany $ world
wide plans for stirring strife on every
continent where they might aid her il
B the struggle for world domination whiei
/ she dreamed was close at hand. 1t add
climax 70 the operations OF Count voI
8ernStorH and the German embassy il
this country which have been colore,
I with passport frauds. charges of dyna
mite plots and intrigue, the full extern
Of which never has been published.
1t gives new credencc to pCrsiSten
reports Of submarine bases on Mcxicai
d territory in the Gulf OF Mexico; it take
@ cogni2ancc of a fact long recognized b,
4 American army chiefs, that if japan
ever undertook to invade the Unite,
! States it probably would be through
: Mexico over the border and into In
l. Mississippi valley to split the countr,
), IN two. 1t recalls that Count Won Berns
a torff, when handed his passports, wa
very reluctant TO return to Germany In
expressed a preference for asylum il
Cura. Il gives new explanation to tn
}. repeated arrests on the border Of me-