s acting in accord with established and
accepted laws, to which she had given her approval, to defend herself in
every possible way.

Perhaps the climax of this outrageous disregard of decency came when
Secretary Lansing exposed March 1, 1917, the infamous "Zimmerman note."
It was written before war had been declared, and, officially at least,
Germany and the United States were friends at the time. Indeed it was
only three days after the appearance of President Wilson before the
Senate with his plan for a league of nations to secure and assure
justice and peace for all nations. This infamous note was even brought
to the United States and was to be carried across the border into
Mexico, a country with which we were not at war and with which the
President was doing his utmost to maintain peace.

It is impossible to give the entire message but the following extracts
will reveal its character:

"Berlin, January 19, 1917.

"On February 1 we intend to begin submarine war
unrestricted. In spite of this it is our intention
to keep neutral the United States of America.

"If this attempt is not successful we propose an
alliance on the following basis with Mexico,--That
we shall make war together and together make
peace. We shall give general financial support and
it is understood that Mexico is to reconquer the
lost territory in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona.
The details are left to you for settlement."

The German Secretary then goes on to instruct the German Minister in
Mexico to open secret negotiations with Carranza just as soon as it is
plain that the proposed U-boat campaign brings the United States into
the war and also to get Carranza to draw Japan into the proposed war
against us.

Just how the Government obtained this note will not be known until an
explanation is given later, but its authorized publication by Secretary
Lansing instantly aroused an intense feeling of anger throughout the
country. For a "friendly" nation to be plotting against a "friend," to
attempt to use that nation even then as a base of operations against
its peace and security, to say nothing of the plan to induce still
another friendly power to attack us, outraged our every sense of decency
and justice. A cry of anger and dismay was heard on every side--except
perhaps from certain pro-Germans who weakly protes