On taking up his post, Zimmerman proposed diverting the U.S. from European intervention by involving them in war with Mexico and Japan. He sent a secret telegram to the Mexican German minister on the 16th of January 1917 authorising him to suggest an alliance to the Mexican President. However, the British intercepted the telegram and made it available to President Wilson. It became a prime factor leading to the U.S. declaration of war against Germany five weeks later.
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Citation: Editors, Litencyc. "Arthur Zimmermann becomes German foreign minister". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 01 March 2010 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=12421, accessed 20 April 2024.]
