A century ago today
February 19, 1917 – “Information has been received here, which some officials apparently believe is authentic, that a considerable number of German reservists have joined the Carranza forces and that a few German reservists are with the Villa army [the opposing sides in Mexico]. … It is understood by those who have obtained this information that if war should come between the United States and Germany the German reservists in both Carranza and Villa armies would seek to unite the two opposing forces against the United States.”
The New York Times reports on growing American suspicions that Germany is actively preparing for war against the United States.