Sent Through Bernstorff.
These instructions were transmitted to von Eckhardt through Count von Bernstorff, former German ambassador here, now on his way home to Germany under a safe conduct obtained from his enemies by the country against which he was plotting war.
Germany pictured to Mexico, by broad intimation, England and the entente allies defeated; Germany and her allies triumphant and in world domination by the instrument of unrestricted warfare.
Text of the Letter.
A copy of Zimmerman’s instructions to von Eckhardt, sent through von Bernstorff, is in possession of the United States government. It is as follows:
“Berlin, January 19, 1917.
“On the first of February we intend to begin submarine warfare unrestricted. In spite of this, it is our intention to endeavor 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.”
“Japan Also.
“You are instructed to inform the president of Mexico of the above in the greatest confidence as soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak of war with the United States and suggest that the president of Mexico, on his own initiative, should communicate with Japan, suggesting adherence at once to this plan; at the same time, offer to mediate between Germany and Japan.
“Please call to the attention of the president of Mexico that the employment of ruthless submarine warfare now promises to compel England to make peace in a few months.
(signed) “ ‘Zimmerman.’ ”
This document has been in the hands of the government since President Wilson broke off diplomatic relations with Germany.
Chapter 18
The Conciergerie
1917
A light comes on and I hear his footsteps before I see him, the soft leather of his shoes on concrete. “Edouard!” I call through the bars as he comes into view; I’m afraid he isn’t real. I am in a new cell. It contains three beds, a toilet, a bottle of fresh water.
As soon as he sees me, tears well in his eyes. I’ve never seen Edouard like this. “My God, what have you done, M’greet?”
“Nothing. I swear—nothing!”
“I’ve been searching for you for weeks. You vanished from Berlin. I heard rumors that you were in Paris and that—”
“I was arrested at the élysée Palace. I’ve been in Saint Lazare Prison.” It’s such a relief to have him here with me, to finally share the nightmare that has swallowed me. “Have you been inside Saint Lazare, Edouard? I had no light, no toilet, no shower. I was left in a cell with nothing but hay and a window with bars but no glass. In this weather, Edouard! I was so cold; the place is frozen in time. I looked out of the window and expected to see the Revolution! I was alone for weeks. It was inhumane.”
He shakes his head. “Did they give you a change of clothes, a blanket?”
“They gave me nothing. Not for the longest time.” I start to cry, feeling everything anew when I see the empathy in his eyes. “They locked me up like an animal. I wasn’t allowed to write letters or to phone anyone. I thought I was losing my mind I was so cold and hungry. When I thought I would surely die, two nuns arrived, and they brought me fresh towels and soap.”
“Did they treat you well?”
“One, Sister Léonide, was kind to me.” You must eat, Mata Hari, she pleaded with me, or you will sicken. “They took me to a room with faucet pumps in the ceiling and watched me shower.” I feel myself flush. “You don’t know how much modesty you have until you are in prison, Edouard. The nuns told me I was being taken to see Captain Bouchardon. That was why I was allowed to clean myself. I couldn’t place his name, but I knew I’d heard it before.”
“Captain Bouchardon—”
“Le Cigale, do you remember? In the early days. He was a sergeant in the police department. He wanted me arrested for dancing nude.” He was a little mustached man I dismissed because more powerful men were protecting me. “Back then he left me alone because I was sleeping with the chief of police. But when I was brought to his office from Saint Lazare, he interrogated me. Now he is a prosecutor. He demanded the names of my German contacts—”
“Do you have German contacts?”
“Are you asking if I’m a spy?” I shrink back from the bars. Who does he think I’ve become? “Against France? Of course not! I told Bouchardon the truth. That I agreed to obtain information to help France defeat Germany, that Commandant Ladoux—”