The Delta independent., 1917-03-02
Why Relations
Were Broken


many. in planning for unrestricted sub
marine warfare and in counting its
consequences, proposed an alliance
with Mexico and Japan to make war
on the United States If this country
should not remain neutral.
Japan, through Mexican mediation,
was to be urged to abandon her allies
and join in the attack on the United
States
Mexico for her reward, was to re-
ceive general financial support from
Germany. recoquer Texas. New Mexico
and Arizona. lost in war and share
in the victorious peace terms Germany
contemplated.
Details were left to German minister
won Eckhardt, in Mexico City. who by
instruction signed by German Foreign
Minister Zimmerman, at Berlin, Jan
uary 10. 1917. was directed to propose
the alliance with Mexico, to General
Carranza- and suggest that Mexico
seek to bring Japan into the pact
These instructions were transmitted
TO Won Eckhardt through Count Won
Benstroff. former German Ambassa-
dor here. now on his way home TO
Germany under a safe conduct obtain
cd from his enemies by the country
against which he was plotting war.
Germany pictured to Mexico. by
broad intimation. England and the en-
tente allies defeated; German and
allies triumphant and in world domi-
nation by the instrument Of unrestrict
ed submarine war
A copy OF Zimmerman's instructions
TO Won Eckhardt. sent through Won
Bernstroff. is in possession of the
United States government 1t is as
follows:
Berlin. Jan. 19.-"on the first Of
February we intend to begin subma-
rine warfare unrestricted. In spite of
this, It is our intention to endeavor
TO keep neutral the United States
OF America.
III this attempt is not successful, we
propose an alliance on the following
basis with Mexico:
THAT we shah make war together
and together make peace. We shall
give general financial support and it
is understood that Mexico is TO re
conquer the lost territory in New
Mexico. Texas and Arizona. The de
tails are left TO you for settlement
You are instructed to inform the
president of Mexico OF the above in
the greatest confidence as soon as it
is certain that there will be an out
break OF war with the United States
and suggest that the president OF Mex.
ico. on his own initiative shall com.
municate with Japan. suggesting ad.
herance at once to his plan: at the
same time. offer to mediate between
Germany and Japan.
Please call to the attention of the
president of Mexico that the employ
ment of the ruthless submarine war
fare now promises to compel England
to make peace In n few months
(Signed) ZIMMERMAN
MS uotuIlttlt mas Deen IN tut ndlus
Of the government since the president
broke off diplomatic relations with
Germany. 1t has been kept secret
while the president has been asking
congress for full authority to deal
with Germany. and while congress has
been hesitating. 1t was in the presi
dents hands while Chancellor Won
Bethmann Hollweg was declaring that
the United States had made as inter
probation OF the submarine declara
tion never intended by Germany" and
that Germay had promoted and honor
ed friendly relations with the United
States, 'as n heirloom from Frederick
the Great" or itself, If there were
no other. 1t is considered n sufficient
answer to the German chancellor's
complaint that the United States
"brusquely" broke off relations with
out giving authentic" reasons for its
action.
The document supplies the miss
ing link to many separate chains OF
circumstances, which until now have
seemed to lead to no definite point
1t sheds new light upon the frequent
ly reported but undefinable movement
OF the Mexican government to couple
its situation with the friction between
the United States and Japan. 1t adds
another chapter to the celebrated re
port of Jules Cambon, French ambassa