The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-03-02
Berlin Planned War
on United States.
TRIED TO INVOLVE
JAPAN AND MEXICO
Latter Country to Set Texas, New
Mexico and Arizona.

Washington. March Germany, In
planning unrestricted submarine war
fare and counting its consequences,
proposed an alliance with Mexico and
Japan to make war on the United
States, il this country should not re-
main 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-
ceiye general financial support from
Germany, reconquer Texas. New Mex
leo and Arizona-lost provinces and
share in the victorious peace terms
Germany contemplated.
Details were LEFT to German Minis
ter Won Eckhardt i'm Mexico City. who
by instructions signed by German For
eign Minister Zimmerman. at Berlin,
Jan. 10, 1877, 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 transmit
ted to Won Eckhardt through Count
Won Bernstorff. former German am
bsssador here, now on his way home
TO Germany under safe conduct OBJ
tanned from his enemies by the coun-
try against which he was plotting war.
Germany pictured TO Mexico. by
broad intimation, England and the en-
tente allies defeated; Germany and
her allies triumphant and in world
domination by the instrument of un-
restricted warfare.
Government Has Document.
A copy OF Zimmerman's instructions
to Won Eckhardt, sent through Won
Bernstorf. is in possession of the
United States government. 1t is as
follows:
Berlin, Jan. 10, 1917.-On the first
OF February we intend to begin sub
marine warfare unrestricted. In
spite of this IL is our intention to en-
deavor to keep neutral the United
States of America.
III this attempt is not successful
we propose 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 recon
quer the lost territory in New Mexico
Texas and Arizona. The details 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 il
is certain that there will be an out
break of war with the United States
and suggest that the president of Mex
leo, on his own initiative. should com
municate with Japan suggesting ad
herence at once to this plan: at the
same time offering to mediate between
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 few months.
ZIMMERMAN"
Secret Just Made Public.
This document has been in the
hands of the government since Presi
dent Wilson broke OF diplomatic rela
tions with Germany. 1t has been kept
secret, while the president has beer
asking congress for full authority II
deal with Germany and while con
aro.o hoc hoon IN
II was In the presidents hands
while Chancellor Won Bethmann Holl
veg was declaring that the United
States had placed an Interpretation or
the submarine declaration never I'm
tended by Germany" and that Ger
many had promoted and honoret
friendly relations with the United
States 'as an heirloom from Freder
ick the Great"
OF itself, If there were no other, 4
is considered a sufficient answer Il
the German chancellor's plant tina
the United States "brusquely" brok,
on relations without giving "authen
tic" reasons for its action.
The document supplies the missinl
link to many separate chains Of cir
cumstances, which until now hav'
seemed to lead to no definite point.
sheds new light upon the freQuentl!
reported but undefinable movement
Of the Mexican government to coupl,
its situation with the friction betwssI
he United States aQd JspAn.