Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-02

/ a climax to the operations OF Sount
Won Bernstein and the German en-
bassy in this country, which have
been colored with passport frauds,
charges of dynamite plots and in
trigue, the full extent o which never
has been published.
1t gives new credence to persistent
reports of submarine bases on Mexi-
can territory in the Gulf OF Mexico;
it takes cognizances of fact long
recognized by American army chiefs,
that il Japan ever undertook to in
wade the United States, it probably
would be through Mexico, over the
border and into the Mississippi val
ley to split the country in two. 1t re-
calls that Count Won Bernstorff, when
handed his passports, was very re-
luetant to return to Germany, but
expressed a preference for asylum
in Cuba. 1t gives a new explanation
to the repeated arrests on the border
OF men charged by American military
authorities with being German in
telligence agents.
Last OF all, it seems to show now
connection with General Carranza's
recent proposal to neutrals that ex-
ports OF food and munitions to the
entente allies be cut off, and an in
timation that he might stop the sup
ply OF oil, so vital to the British navy,
which is exported from the Tampico
fields.
What Congress Will Do.
What congress will do, and how
members of congress who have
openly sympathized with Germany
in their opposition to clothing the
president with full authority to pro-
tect American rights will regard the
revelation of Germany's Vaccinations
to attack the United States, is the
subject tonight of the keenest in
terest.
Such a proposal as Germany in
structed its minister to make to
Mexico borders on an act of war, if,
actually, it is not one.
No doubt exists here now that the
persistent reports during the last two
years of the operations of German
agents not alone in Mexico, but all
through Central America and the
West Indies, are based on fact. There
is now no doubt whatever that the
proposed alliance with Mexico was
known to high Mexican officials who
are distinguished for their anti
Americanism. Among them are
Rafael Zubaran, Carranza's minister
to Germany, and Luis Cabrera, Carr
ranza's minister Of finance.
1t is apparent that the proposal
had taken definite form when Zu-
baran returned to Mexico City from
Berlin recently. His return from his
foreign post was covered by the fact
that Carranza had called in many of
his diplomats for Conferences"
Some time before that, Cabrera,
while still at Atlantic City, had sug-
gested in guarded way to MEM
Der OF the American section that he
regretted that the, commission had
not succeeded fully in settling the
difficulties between Mexico and the.
United States, for, he said, he had
hoped it might continue its work and
make peace for the world.
Details Of peace" Plan.
When pressed for some details OF
how the commission could restore
world peace, Cabrera suggested that
the American republics controlled
the destiny Of the war by controlling
large part OF its supplies. Mexico,
he intimated, might do its part by
cutting off exports of oil. The Amer
lean commissioners dismissed his
ideas as visionary.
Almost coincident with Zubarah's
return from Germany, Cabrera re-
turned to Mexico City, open in his
expressions of anti-Americanism.
Zubaran, before being sent abroad,
had represented Carranza here while
the Niagara mediation conferences
were proceeding and was no less
avowedly anti-American than Ca
brera.
MEANWHILE Baron Won Schoen, sec
rotary Of the German embassy here,
was transferred to the legation in
Mexico City. No explanation could
be obtained OF the reason for his
transfer, and such investigation as
was possible failed to develop why
secretary from the United States
should be sent to the German lega-
ton in Mexico.
Knew japanese Minister. 81
Baron Won Schoen's association with
the moves, If any at all, does not APP
pear. The only outward indication
that he might have been connected
with them is found in the fact that he
recently had been detached from the
German embassy at Toxic and was
we'll acquainted with the Japanese
minister in Mexico City.
Carranza's peace proposal was
openly pronounced as evidence of
German influence in Mexico, by Off
Gals here, who declare it was in
tended only to embarrass the United
States. Then apparently some inau-
ences showed their effects on the
course of the Mexican government,
and on February rs Cabrera, the min
lister of finance, issued a statement
describing the Amusement" of the
Mexican government that the Ameri-
can newspapers should have inter-
preted Carranza's proposal to cut off
exports of munitions as suggestion
that he might cut off shipments OF
British oil. They were. Cabrera de-
clared, entirely groundless," and that
feature Of the situation ended. There
was an intimation that Germany's
astounding proposal that Japan turn
traitor to its allies had been answered
by Toxic.
z Count Won Bernstorff's connection
with the plot, further than serving as
the channel of communication, is in.
tensihed by the fact that the German
embassy here was not merely the
medium Of delivering message in
this instance but was realiv n sort az