GERMANS IN MEXICO.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1917, Page 4

GERMANS IN MEXICO.

Providence Journal Report. New York, March 23 “It G rmany succeeds in drugping the IJuiied States into war, h*r that blow against ‘his o-oivitry will oe struck i ; r'Rirh Mss'.ca - ' fnis «n-.c aration w* marfe * ■ v tho I .ovtde ms Joe- v.*.l which sf t;u ’Uy ni.-'ougboufc the war fa-. rivaled p!o s at •.«i3 Gsrmua E :.h.»sv j»r*p g ,d secret a gouts against ton : ‘i -us ~1 i-uU in the TJniteu St:.ti=rt Ault G i atia, and sc'.iviti?s in ether ways. The Journal further says : “ For a considerable time the G rman Ambassador, working among his own Consulates ail over the United States, as wall as those of AustriaHungary, has been superintendi-g tha departure of over three hundred office's of the Germany army, b.th regular* and reservists, from various American ports and railroad centres to Mexico City, where orders governing their future activities wiil await them. . “It hos not been generally known that a large number of German army officers who had boan captured by tha Russians daring the present war and had made their way here at various times through China, have bean held in this country without any attempt beiDg made to smuggle them back home. The Department of Justice has had information for several months that several of these officers have bean with both Villa and Carranza in Mexico, Since last Saturday thete has been a wholesale exodus of those that have remained, to Mexioo City, and at least two hundred officer# or reservists have accompanied them or gone in small parties by various routes to the same destination.

The Government is in possession of information to the effect that a large quantity of arms and ammunition, collected here at the beginning of the war and stored in two large warehouses in New York, has found its way to Mexico City, where it has been held intact since its arrival. “Some months ago, a long German Consular report was sent from Mexico Oity to the Foreign Office in Berlin by way of G. Scbadt, an employee of the German Embassy at 11 Broadway, New Yotk, under seal to F. Gersdorff, No 5 Mariensalle, Copenhagen, Denmark. This communication, a copy of which has just been received in this country, goes into the conditions in Mexico, from the German point of view, very fully, and declares that what is known as the German Alliance in Mexico is supporting every effort to increase the hatred against Americans in that country by inaugurating a senes of German gatherings on behalf of Mexican nationality, mixing socially with prominent Mexican leaders, and flooding the country with pamphlets of a pro-German character. It goes on to say : “The Alliance Francaise has a branch here, and is working hard against German interests. It has many prominent Mexican members, and sends out printed mattsr prepar-

ed by the Paris Chamber of Com* merce. They have also goc films into the movies which, among people of this temperament, have a great effeot. “ ‘lf war comes between the United {States and Germany, it must be remembered that oar relations at home are possibly solely through that country, and that the war would break off this channel of communication at once, The same thing iB true of telegraph and postal news received of European events. But if we Germans in Mexico are to be tried in this way, the homeland can be assured th3t we shall know how to endure worthily and, thanks to our military friends and to large stores of munitions which we are holding intact, we will be able to do our share towards the nltimate victory of our Fatherland in this out-of-the-way part of the world.’ “ This communication encloses another, written by General Maximilian Klos, an artillery officer in Mexico City, in which he declares that the distribution of artillery has been placed in his control, and speaks of having just been elected to a high honorary

office in the German Alliance in Mexico City. He desires to thank thß “all highest ” for his Iron Cross, and to state that at all times his influence is at the disposal of the German Emperor. He adds “At the end of the mouth I am going to New York to purchase war materials the choice of which will depend entirely upon ray will and judgment. Bat, of course, I will take advice from some of our friends there as to calibre, etc.’ “ He also says that he has jußt completed the defence of Salina Cruz in ‘ Mexico, and sends details of gun mounts and calibre of the guns constructed there, “ The exodus of hundreds of German officers to Mexico a few days ago was followed immediately by instructions from tbs German and Austrian Embassies to burn all confidential p-j;frs relating to Mexican affiirs, and this was promptly done. “ A large sum of money was withdrawn from ths Trans-Athntio Trust Company and handed to these officers for travelling and other expenses. “In what way it is proposed to strike a blow at the United States through Mexico i 9 not at present fuliy understood, but it ii believed, if, after war with Germany is declared, any effort is made to maintain the same f

proportion of exports of foods and munitions to England as heretofore a strong movement against the United States on the Mexican border will serve as a most potent argument to prevent a continuation of that policy.”