The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-03
Breaks Silence Over Conspiracy
Against the L. S.
Amazed Over Fact Message
Was Intercepted.
ENDEAVORS To EXPLAIN IT
Feared Alliance of All Neutrals
Against Germany.
Intimates Treachery on German
Soil Exposed Note.
SOUGHT MEX. And JAP AID
But Both Deny Ever Receiving
German Offer.
German Press Forbidden From
Publishing Plot Story.
Feared Alliance of All Neutrals
Against Germany.
Intimates Treachery on German
Soil Exposed Note.
SOUGHT MEX. and JAP AID
But Both Deny Ever Receiving
German Offer.
German Press Forbidden From
Publishing Plot Story.

Berlin. March 3-Cvia London
Admission was made by Germany to-
day that instructions had been sent to
the German minister in Mexico City
as to the possibilities of Mexico's part
in hostilities AGAINST the United States.
The admission was made in semi
official statements. Surprise was ex-
pressed p how the American gov
eminent obtained information con-
corning instructions sent secretly to
Germ any's diplomatic agents.
The manner in which this informa-
ton came into the possession of the
United states was not known, but the
source which admitted the negotiations
expressed the belief that apparently
treachery was committed on American
territory"
Germany's Explanation.
London, March 3.-Foreign Secre-
tary Zimmermann's instructions to the
German minister to Mexico as pub
lished in the United States are ad-
mitted in Berlin to have been correct
" quoted. according to dispatch to
Reuters from the German capital
by way of Amsterdam.
The dispatch quotes the following
telegram received in Amsterdam from
Berlin on Friday and which was ap-
parently sent by the Wolff bureau, the
seni-oificial German news agency:
The American press contains re-
ports about instructions from the
minister of foreign affairs to the Ger
man minister in Mexico City in the
event that Germany after the pro-
clamation of unrestricted submarine
warfare, failed to keep the United
States neutral These reports are
based on the following facts:
After the decision had been taken to
begin unrestricted submarine warfare
on Feb. l, we had to reckon in view
OF the previous attitude of the Amer
lean government with the possibility
of conflict with the United States.
That this calculation was right is prov
ed by the fact that the American gov
eminent severed diplomatic relations
with Germany after the proclamation
of barred zone and asked other neu-
trails to follow her example.
Instructions TO Mexico City.
Anticipating these possibilities it
was not only the right but also the
duty of our government to take pre-
cautions in time-in the event of a
military conflict with us-in order to
balance, If possible, the adhesion to
our ioes OF a new enemy. The Ger
man minister at Mexico City, there
fore, was instructed in the middle of
January that in the event of the
United States declaring war he
should offer to the Mexican govern
ment an alliance and arrange further
details. These Instructions by the
way. eXpressedly directed the minister
20 make no advances to the Mexican
government unless he knew for a GER
tainty that America was going to de-
clare war.
How the American government re-
ceived information of the Instructions
sent by a secret way to Mexico is not
known. 1t appears. however. that the
treachery-and it only must have
been treachery-was committed on
German territory
No Plot Offer to Mexico.
New York, March S.-Mexico has
rot received any proposition of an al
nance from Germany, Foreign Minis
yer Aguilar informed the United Press
today He sent the following tele-
gram from Guadalajara:
Ohlted Press, New York: The
government of Mexico has not re
SelNed any proposition of alliance
from the imperial German govern
mtnt
This is the first official word from,
the Mexican government indicatinr
that the German proposition failed 10
refch First Chief Carranza or his
ministers.
Plot Suppressed in Germany.
London, March 3.-The German
press has been ordered not To nubIish
a word regarding the America n Me-
leo revelations until further notice
according to an Amsterdam dispatcb
to the Exchange Telegraph connanv
The dispatch says that only a few cir
fala orc -
it is considered possible the result Of
the affair will be the resignation of
Foreign Secretary Zimmerman and
the ending of Count Won Bernstorff-s
career as a diplomat.