The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-03-04
GERMAN PRESS
NOT 0TPR0UD0FIT'
Comments on Foreign Secre-
tary's Note, However, Enter
Defence of His Step.

BERLIN, via London, March 3.--Berlin
newspapers which In their editions this
morning were permitted finally to refer
to the proposed German-MeXican alli-
ance revelations do not seem particu-
larly proud over the matter.
The majority confine themselves to
printing the German official statement
under more or less non-committal head
lines. The Tdges Zeitun0 prints it under
n question mark, while the Bossische
Zeitung and the Morgen Post refer to
the conditional nature OF the measure.
Only the Berliner T0gebiott and the
Lokal Anei0er venture to comment on 1t.
The Anxei0er alone supplements the Of
ficiai explanation with details from des-
patches received from the United States.
... Called y Patriotic Step.
In its comment the An-eioer pictures
the measure as a patriotic and proper
step of the Government and lays stress
rather on the American than the Ger
man end of the story. which it treats as
a man9uvre by President Wilson to
force the armament measure through
Congress.
The Ta1eblutt comments 1T was very
obvious that in the event of war be-
tween Germany and the United states
to square up to their northern neighbors,
whose continuous interventions in the
last few years have made their life a
burden"
The paper especially points out that
the statement makes 1t clear that the
Minister to Mexico was not to make a
proposal for an alliance with the Mex
lean Government, but had secret in
struction only in the event of war TO
make such proposal
The Cologne Gazette says: AS the
German Minister to Mexico had definite
instructions not to take steps before
being certain that the United States had
declared war the venomous accusations
may be disposed of by referring to the
words just previously uttered by the
Chancellor concerning the traditional
friendly relations with the American
nation.
at Is self-etident that We must defend
our lives against a people which declares
war on us whatever the past may have
been. We believe that the publcat ion
OF our proposal to Mexico has had a
salutary effect OH the American people.
who will now realize that Germany does
not let herself be bulied and that If the
United States proceeds to overt hostili-
ties We mean 10 fight with every means
in our power"
Audience with Kaiser.
The German Foreign Secretary, DR.,
Zimmerman, had a long audience with
the Emperor yesterday. 1t Is generally
supposed that the audience concerned
the Mexican question. 1t was followed
by conference between the Imperial
Chancellor and DR.. zimmerman, at
which several Foreign Otfice officials
were present, at the Chancellor's resi-
dence.
Dr. Betharn, the foreign political ed
itor Of the National Tidcnde Of Copen-
hagen and one of the best informed
Danish authorities In this field. discusses
the news in a leader in which he de-
clares that. although the plan at first
| sight seems almost fantastic. there are
| many grounds to believe it correct, even
without the Zimmerman note to remove
| all doubt
DR.. Betharn recalled stories OF Amcri-
| can apprehensions. current for years be-
| fore the war, that Germany was trying
TO establish herself in South America
especially in Brazil and calls atten-
| Iion to the surprising amount OF discus
sion appearing Of late in the German
press as to the effect a German-Ameri
| can war might have on Japanese policies
and Of the specific possibility of a
Japanese attack on the United States
through Mexico. lie also notes the dis
! appearance In recent months from the
| German newspapers OF the formerly
| familiar terms Of hatred and contempt
toward japan which followed the cap
ture of Kiao-Chau. and the fact thai
from the moment when the entry OF the
| United States into the war became a pos
sibility because Of the submarine issue