The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1918-03-27
THE TIMES: MARCH 81. 1918


blow.
But, if such an event took place,
we offered the Mexicans the great
and glorious opportunity of becoming
our Allies. They could take what
they wanted from the United States
Texas, California and New Mexico.
Also they could take from the British
Companies the oil wells which really
belonged to them, and were now be-
ing used to supply our enemies with
fuel for their warships.
We undertook to help the Mexicans
in such a case. We would establish
submarine bases on their coast and de-
stroy the American shipping. The
fuel for the submarines would come
from the oil wells the Mexicans were
to take from the hated Englanders.
Carranza Hard Problem
I had been told that my mission
would be a difficult and perhaps dan
gerous one. Of how dangerous it was
had already had some experience.
But after meeting Carranza twice I
came to the conclusion that it was
not only difficult was impossible.
Everything was arranged by our
Minister in Mexico City. I was to
meet President Carranza and try to
arrange things.
I met him, but it was after great
difficulties. Neither our foreign Of
flee nor our Intelligence Bureau in
| Berlin understood this man Carranza.
But what angered me the most was
that even our Minister, Admiral Won
+ Eckhardt, under estimated this Mex
lean President. This was a terrible
blunder.
This man Carranza had nothing
Spanish about him. Although he was
polite, he was gruff and to the point
Looking at me through his thick eye
glasses, he motioned me to seat near
by and after having read a personal
letter from Herr Zimmerman, whose
contents I did not know then, he
said: 'Is it of late date that Berlin
has decided to employ women am
bassadors?" This was hurled at me
when I was unprepared. 1 did not
know how to answer him; I was COM
pletely taken by surprise. Yet I had
to make some sort of an answer. I
said: "Excellency, Germany is in an
unfortunate position, England will not
|
Mexico. The exigencies of this war
compel our Fatherland to resort to
women Ambassadors"
AS a rejoinder to my answer Presi-
dent Carranza laughed in such fash
ion that it bordered on insult not to
me alone, but rather to the Faith
erland. He said: my dear Countess,
how, then, can Mexico expect assist
ance from your fatherland if your
Foreign Office is not able to send a
male Ambassador through the Eng
lish blockade?" And he stood, bow
ed low and nodded to one of his aides,
and in another moment was ushered
out Of his presence. For the first
time in my life I was defeated-yes
ANONYMOUSLY defeated.
Nevertheless, I did not admit my
defeat. I had a second meeting ar
ranged for me. This time intended
to play bold game, in playing which
II would either come out victorious
or perhaps be imprisoned by order OF
President Carranza. But again, this
man Carranza took me unawares.
had just entered the large room where
he was seated with half dozen of
his subordinates, when he rose, bowed
low, kissed my hand said: pretty
women should busy themselves with
pretty subjects. International politics
are too ugly for beautiful women
Thus I was completely disarmed with
out being iven a chance to draw
made a courtesy and left his presence
without even uttering one word.
I returned to our minister and re-
ported to him what had taken place
He is a stupid man-our minister in
Mexico City. Even then he had child
ish plans which he ordered me to at
tempt to put into execution. I want
ed to tell him that he was a stupid ass
But he was my superior and was
there TO take orders from him. He
proposed that I see Porforio Mendez
Carranza's private secretary, who was
a young man and signed all Carran-
Za's correspondence. Several notes
from this young responsible secretary
of the Mexican president would an
swer our purpose 1t would be
enough to arouse American suspicion
about Mexico and Japan, especially if
III could induce this young Mexican
to mention Japan in his communica-
ton with me.
Porforio Mendez, Is An Accomplished
F1irt
/, Porforio Mendez was a minor Jefe
; a handsome young man with large
!, black eyes and a long, silky nous
; tache. He was all politeness and
, courtIiness and a great deal more ar
dent.
[ told Don Porforio what our For
| eign Office proposals were. He list
ened intently. When I had finished
} he bowed low to the ground. Here
was true Spaniard. His eyes were
full of affection and his manner:
were so demonstrative that I felt tina
at any moment he might take me il
his arms. The only thing that at tina
time bothered me just a little wa
that he a little bit too polite. HI
seemed to agree to any proposal tina
wished to make.
"Be assured, oh, rarest of charm
y ers," he said, that when the RICH
I time comes the United States of Mex
leo will sweep the accursed invade
=, from its fair bosom. I, Porforio Men
= dez, swear to you"
"And the writing" I said, eth
signed promise that I must take bacl
y to Berlin?''
Il He seized my two hands and kiss
L ed them passionately. 'Be assured
lovely one, that you shall have it
. ever you find it necessary to retur-
. to Berlin T. Porforio MendeZ