The Zimmermann Telegram
The Ambassador of Great Britain [Walter Hines Page] to
the Secretary of State [Robert Lansing]
LONDON,
February 24, 1917, 1 P.M. [Received 8:30 P.M.] . . . [British Foreign Secretary
Arthur] Balfour has handed me the text of a cipher telegram from [Arthur]
Zimmermann, German Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to the German
Minister to Mexico. . . . I give you the English translation as follows:
"We
intend to begin on the 1st of February unrestricted submarine warfare. We shall
endeavor in spite of this to keep the United States of America neutral. In the
event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal of alliance on the
following basis: make war together, make peace together, generous financial
support and an understanding on our part that Mexico is to re-conquer the lost
territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. The settlement in detail is left
to you. You will inform the President [of Mexico, Venustiano Carranzal of the
above most secretly as soon as the outbreak of war with the United States of
America is certain and add the suggestion that he should, on his own
initiative, invite Japan to immediate adherence and at the same time mediate
between Japan and ourselves. Please call the President's attention to the fact
that the ruthless employment of our submarines now offers the prospect of
compelling England in a few months to make peace."
Signed,
Zimmermann
The
receipt of this information has so greatly exercised the British Government
that they have lost no time in communicating it to me to transmit to you, in
order that our Government may be able without delay to make such disposition as
may be necessary in view of the threatened invasion of our territory. . . .