The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-29
Washington Wants to Know
Policies of First Chief.
He's Asked What He VIII Do
About German Plots.
CONCESSIONS TO TEUTONS?
Submarine Bases on Coast
Would Ruin e. s. Trade.
Arrangements Reported Being
Made for Them Now.

Washington, March 29.-The state
department has asked the Carranza
government what it's policy is toward
German plots against the United
States which are reported Matching on
Mexican soil.
] That German agents are prepared TO
use Mexican territory as a base for
hostile operations both by land and sea
against the United States has been re-
ported to this government. Before
the public the administration is trying
to smile down such reports. but pr1-
vately it is deeply concerned.
One serious aspect of the situation
is the fact that Germany is said to
have obtained sites for submarine
bases and wireless stations on the
east coast of Mexico. The state de-
partment says it has no confirmation
of these reports.
If Germany has obtained such con-
| cessions the situation is grave. U-boats
operating from Mexican waters could
| raid American shipping for the entire
length of the Atlantic coast while
British and Dutch oil shipments also
would be imperilled. The radio sta
lions would he employed in receiving
orders from the German admiralty as
to submarine operations as well as
Diplomats asserted today that the
German influence with the Mexican
government appears to be greater
than that of any other country and
apprehension was entertained that
General Carranza's friendship for the
Germans might lead to troublesome
embarrassments for the United States.
Other Annoyances.
1t was pointed ont that other an
| noyances which the United States
might be subjected to thru the Ger
man intrigues in Mexico include:
Observation-Disclosures of raids into
American territory
standardization from Mexico of
plots against the peace of United
States with Latin-American countries
thru the instigation of uprisings, espe-
cially in Central America.
ENVIRONMENTS of the United
States in fresh disputes with Mexico,
which country might particularly well
come war between the Ur tied States
ar'i Germ any as offering : N oppor-
tunlty to press certain diplohrltlc ac-
tons to her own advantage.
Mexico is anxious for the United
/ States to lift the embargo upon the
expectation of arms and ammunition
TO Mexico, but it was believed by close
observers of the Mexican situation to
be improbable that the embargo would
be removed for a considerable time
and certainly not during any difficult
ties which the United States might be
engaged in with another foreign
power.
High officials of the state depart
ment admitted that the department
| had heard rumors of the assembling
of Germans at points in Mexico. Off
Gals would not discuss either the ma
ture or contents of any exchanges con-
corning this subject which may have
| taken place between the Mexican for
eign office and the state department.
Official Report.
| BY way of putting the soft pedal on
| Mexican plot talk, the war department
has issued the following statement:
/ I'VE have advices from the Southern
! department as follows:
| Press reports have indicated re-
Gently that many Germans are cross
| ing into Mexico. Reports from our
| intelligence offices which keeps rec
ords of immigration officers at various
! points do not confirm these reports.
Since February there have been but
three crossing at Brownsville and
seven-eight at Laredo. none at
other points. OF those crossing at
Laredo. thirty-nine have returned to
the United States. The Ell Paso re-
ports show many crossing back and
forth, but only by residents in the
! transaction of business p"