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THE LAST SPY OFFENSIVE
105

more Germans than Americans. When I boarded the train at Monterey for Tampico there were four Germans aboard and two Americans. The remainder were Mexicans. Travellers in the interior declared that German agents were travelling in various parts of the country—on business; but through the loyal co-operation of American business men and British commercial agents these men are so effectively tracked that, even before they can do anything to cause trouble, their plans are exposed or placed before the Mexican Government.

At one time Germany tried to place German officers in the Mexican Army. At one time there were forty active German officers in that army. While I was in Mexico they were discharged. The Mexicans discovered that they could not be trusted in their posts, because, though they were employed to drill the Mexican Army, it was learned that their ulterior motives and their constant propaganda against the United States were inimical to the best interests of the Mexican Government and people.

There is a great difference between American and German activities in Mexico. Time was when the Mexicans feared the Americans; when the Mexican Government suspected American motives and American plans in Mexico. And though that time is not past, most Mexicans are beginning to realise that, with the exception of a few big financial and business interests in the United States,