Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-04
FRANK ADMISSION
BY ZIMMERMAN
NOT SURPRISING
Officials, However, Hardly
Expected Such Full
Acknowledgment.
KNEW OWN EVIDENCE
WAS FULLY AUTHENTIC
German Defense Is That Intrigue
Was to Be Carried Out Only
if U. S. Entered War.
DOES NOT CHANGE SITUATION
Charge OF Efforts to Unite Pam
America Against Teutons Lacks
Any Foundation.
DOES NOT CHANGE SITUATION
Charge OF Efforts to Unite Pam
America Against Teutons Lacks
ANY Foundation.
lRy Associated Press. ]


WASHINGTON. March 3-German
Foreign Minister Zimmermann's frank
admission that Germany did seek to
ally Japan and Mexico with her to
war against the United States caused
no surprise to American officials, al
though it may be said they did not
expect SO full and free acknowledge
ment OF the exposure.
Some officials thought there might
he an attempt to discredit tho revela-
tions by Offering an explanation Of
different character.
American officials never have had the
least doubt of the authenticity Of the
evidence in their hands. Minister ZIm-
mermann's defense of Germany's In
trigue on the ground that 1t only was
intended to be carried out In the event
the United States did not remain neu-
trail is not taken to change the situa-
tion in the slightest degree.
Whether 1t was presented to the
CarranZa government or not, and the
fact that II is believed not to have
been communicated to Japan. do not,
In the opinion OF American officials
alter the established fact that Ger
many. while seeking the offices of the
United States to make peace. and while
protesting her innocence Of any inten-
tion to violate American lives, was
at the same moment preparing un-
restricted submarine warfare and was
intriguing to attack the United States
with two allies.
NOTHING IN CHARGE
OF U. 8. BEING IN 'PLOTr
Mr.. Zimmermanns references to an
alleged plot" by the United States
to unite Pan-Amcrica against Germany,
are regarded with mingled feelings OF
incomprehensio and amusement. The
Pan-American Union, the Argentine
embassy. and the~State Department can
find record of no such newspaper pub
lication as zimmerman contends re-
vealed the pilot" in Buenos Aires.
The only event which officials can
recall which is susceptible of being
distorted into such a charge as Zim-
mermann makes was discussed early
in Secretary of State Bryans term OF
office OF plan to surround the Pan
Americas with neutral zone, in
which there were to be no naval op-
erations. Nothing ever came OF it.
Zimmermanns statement was read
to-day in the Senate. and some SEN
ators. who were at first inclined to
Eckhardt. German minister in Mexico
City. WAS a forgery. had the statement
read twice.
At the Argentine embassy here 1t
was said nothing was known OF For
eign Minister Zimmermanns charge,
and officials there described it rs
foolish"
Officials of the embassy had no
knoWIedCe of the so-called "newu
article" said by the German Foreign
Minister to have been published re-
Gently In La PrenZa. Copies OF the
paper received here were said to con-
tain nothing on the subject.
They further declared the Buenos
Aires newspaper certainly could not
reveal plot" when they are certain,
by reason of their intimate knowledge
OF relations between the United States
and their government, no such plot
ever existed