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THE LAST SPY OFFENSIVE
111

tonic object is to spread propaganda and convince Mexicans that the German methods of conducting the war are right.

It might have been stated at the beginning of the war, because of the cleverness of the German spies and the spotless organisation, that everything they did was in the dark—at least, so far as the enemy was concerned. Those were the days when inconspicuous Belgian billboards, advertisements in French and British newspapers, direct telegrams and letters from Russian traitors, and official documents from Italy were messages and reports from intelligence officers. To-day one might as correctly assert that the sun never sets on German intrigue, for practically every great scheme by which Germany has sought to embroil neutrals, destroy ships of friendly states, stir up discontent within belligerent nations, and make peace, has been discovered by the United States or the Allies before these plans, plots and military dreams came true.

One day I was sitting in the lobby of my hotel in Tampico, chatting with an American editor, when two young men entered, greeting my companion.

"Mr. Blume and Mr. Nieno," he said, introducing them.

We sat round the table and discussed the war, when my companion remarked that I had been in Germany and had written some articles about that