Walter Hines Page to Robert Lansing

D.

SPECIAL
London, Dated Sept. 18, 1917, Red'd 10:05 p.m.
Secretary of State,Washington.
7195. September 18, 3 p. m.

For Harrison from Bell, CONFIDENTIAL.

"My 7186. Telegram of February 8th reads:

'Number 11. Most secret. Decipher personally. Provided there is no danger of secret being betrayed to United States of America, you are desired without further delay to broach the question of an alliance to the President. The definite conclusion of an alliance however, is dependant on outbreak of war between Germany and United States of America. The President might even now, on his own account, sound Japanese Legation. If the President declines from fear of subsequent revenge, you are empowered to offer him a definite alliance after conclusion of peace provided Mexico succeeds in drawing Japan into the alliance. Signed ZIMMERMANN.'

In the next pouch I shall forward full texts of other two telegrams mentioned in my 7186 as well as of numerous others exchanged between Eckhardt and his Government through Swedish channels. They are important but no longer urgent.
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