Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1917-03-01
BEGINS TO LOOK
LIKE REAL WAR
Reports are That Germany Seeks to
Unite With Mexico and Japan
In War With United States

DtNclOpcIucHtS III Tic oitd-
alton are such as to convince the
most optimistic that war probably can
not be avoided. This week has seen
conditions drift steadily from bad
to worse.
The sinking of the Laconia with
out warning and killing of Amer
leans, the threatening speech of
Chancellor Won Bethmann-Hoolweg
to the reichstag, the blockade of
American shipping, the request of
the president for full authority to
arm ships and take other p;otec-
tive steps and the reporting from
the foreign relations COMMITTEES of
the senate of a bill which would
authorize arming or ships and other
measures for protection, all have
served to emphasize the menacing
nature of the controversy between
the two Countries.
Moreover, a break with Austria
may be looked for at any time.
One of the stormiest debates on
record is expected in the senate
over the bill to grant the president
power to arm ships and the broadcast
kind of authority as to use ofmethods
to conserve American rights on the
seas.
Senator La Toilette is preparing
for vigorous fight against the bill
and he will have enough backing
to make the fate of the measure un-
certain. However, whether con-
gress acts or not. President Wilson
takes the position he has the power
to arm ships and take such steps
for defense as seem adequate.
Washington, ID. c., Feb. IS
| The Associated Press in enabled to
reveal that Germany, is planning un-
restricted submarine warfare and
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 Mexico mediation,
was to be urged to abandon her allies
and join in the attack on the United
States. Her reward was to receive
general financial support from Ger
many, reconquer Texas, New Mexico
and Arizona-loss provinces-and
share in the victorious peace terms
Germany contemplated.
| Details were left to GermanMinis-
ter Won Eckhardt, in Mexico City, who
by instructions signed by German
Foreign Minister Zimmerman, at
Berlin, Jan. 10, 1917. was directed
/ to propose the alliance with Mexico
to General Carranza and suggest that
Mexico seek to bring japan into the
plot.
These instructions were trans
mitted to Won Eckhardt through
Count Won Bernstorff. former Ger
man ambassador here, now on his
way to Germany under a safe con-
duct obtained from his enemies by the
country against which he was piott-
ing war.
| Germany pictured to Mexico, by
board intimation. England and the
entire allies defeated Germany and
her allies triumphant and in world
domination by the instrument
of unrestricted warfare.
Zirmermann's Instructions
A copy of Zimmerman's instruc-
tion to Won Eckhardt sent through
Won Bernstorff, is in possession of the
United States government. 1t is as fol-
lows:
Berlin, Jan. 10, 1917. ION the
] hISt VI February we lHttuu 10 De-
gin submarine warfare unrestricted
In spite of this il is our intention to
endeavor to keep neutral the United
States of America.
IF this attempt is not successful,
we purpose an alliance on the follow
ing basis with Mexico;
THAT we shall make war together
and together make peace. We shall
give general financial support. and
ii is understood that Mexico is to re-
conquer lost territory in New Mexico,
Texas and Arizona. The details are
left to you for settlement
Secrecy Is Cautioned
"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
Mexico, on his own initiative, should
communicate with Japan, suggesting
adherence at once to this plan; at
the same time. offer to medicate be-
tween Germany and Japan.
please call TO the attention of the
president of Mexico that the employ
ment of ruthless submarine warfare
now promises to compel England to
make peace in a few months.
tSigned) Zimmerman