UNITED STATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 March 1917, Page 5

UNITED STATES.

i THE GERMAN-MEXICAN SCHEME. TEXT OF GERMAN PLOT. EERNSTORFF'S LATEST FOLLY. New York. March 1. The text of Germany's proposal, which is in the possession of the Government, is as follows: lierlin, January I!). On February 1 we intend to begin unrestricted .submarining, but, despite this, it is our intention to endeavor to keen the United States neutral. If the attempt is unsuccessful we propose an alliance on the following basis with Mexico: That we make war together and together mala l peace. We will give general financial support. It is understood that Mexico is to reconquer her lost territory in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona. The details are left to you for settlement. Yo.u are instructed to inform the President of Mexico of the above in the greatest conlidence as soon as it is certain there will be an outbreak of war with the United States. We suggest that the President of Mexico, on his own initiative, should communicate with Japan, suggesting adherence to this plan and at the same time offer to mediate between Japan and Germany. '['lease call the attention of the Mexican President to the fact that ruthless submarining promises, to compel England to make peace in a few months. — Signed, Zimmerman. The disclosures are the climax of the operations of Count Bcrnstorfl', who has been associated with passport frauds, dynamite plots and intrigue to an extent never published. They also support the stories of submarine bases in Mexican territory and give new light to Cnrranza's proposals to neutrals to cut off exports of food and munitions to the Allies. They confirm the stories of the operations of German agents in Mexico and Central America. It is believed Mexican officials! are aware of the proposal,(including Cabrera, who suggested at the American-Mexi-can Commission the cutting off of oil supplies to the Allies. Meanwhile Herr von Sc'hoen, secretary to the German Embassy in Washington, was transferred to Mexico City without explanation. AMERICA DISILLUSIONED. WHAT WILL SHE DOT New York, March 1. It is now evident that the German Embassy at Washington has been the headquarters of the German missions in Central and South America for months. Naval officers believe that the South Atlantic base of the German raiders is in Mexico. There are many reports of German machine-gunners in the Mexican army. The full extent of German's plotting, which is in the possession of the Secret Service, may become known or not, according to future relations. The New York Times says:-—"The .story reveals Germany's desperate plight with startling distinctness and shows that we have not acted too soon in severing relations with Germany. Well-informed American quarters scout the suggestion that Japan would entertain the proposition for a moment." The Providence Journal says: "This is more evidence of the damnable character of the plotting of the Teutonic mind. Germany has the methods of the assassin and Thug and has now descended to the basest conspiracy and intrigue."

Other papers say the plot is characteristically German. WHAT JAPAN THINKS. IMPOSSIBLE AND MONSTROUS. Washington, March 1. The Japanese Embassy states that the idea that Japan would enter such an alliance against America is absolutely impossible and monstrous. It is the first knowledge the Embassy has had of the proposal made by Germany. They have no knowledge that it has ever reached the Japanese Government In any case it could not be entertained. Japan is not only in honor bound to the Allies, but could not entertain the idea of any alliance at the expense of the. United States. SENATE ASKS FOR INFORMATION. Received March 2, 5.5 p.m. AVashington, March 1. A resolution has been introduced into the Senate requesting the President to furnish all the information regarding Germany's note sent to Mexico. Senator Stone, in an extraordinary speech, asked whether the Allies had supplied the revelation to President Wilson, if so, Senator Stone contended that America should not have such confidential relations with any of the belligerents. MEXICO FRIENDLY WITH AMERICA. Washington, March 1. President Wilson has authorised Senator Swanston to inform Congress that the letter from Berlin to Herr von' Erkhardt, German Minister in Mexico, is authentic. The Japanese Ambassador denied knowledge that Japan was involved in the German-Mexican plot. Mr. Lansing denied that either Japan or Mexico was likely to lend itself to German plotting. American relations with both countries were friendly. WAR VETERAN LOST ON LACONIA. Vancouver, March 1. William Eva, an American Civil War veteran, was lost on the Laconia. He was a prominent resident of California. Evidence that the sinking constitutes an overt act is growing hourly. ARMING MERCHANTMEN AGREED UPON. New York, March I. The House of Representatives began the consideration of the Bill empowering the President to arm merchantmen. The Republican leader, Mr. Mann, declared it was impossible for a patriotic nation to refuse to give the President power to protect American rights. The Democratic, leader, Mr. Kitcli", hitherto a pacifist, announced that he intended to support the Bill. Mr. Flood, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, 'declared that American ships must be protected, peacefully if possible, but by ioree of arms if necgjgjujt, - , ';"*.