ico had over 15 million inhabitants; by 1921, the population had fallen to under 14 million. Because of these conditions Mexico was not able to enter World War 1 or consider any foreign alliance. Mainly because of the problems faced in their revolution is the reason Japan comes in to play. In essence the war would be United States vs. Japan battling in Mexico. Prior to World War 1, Japan began rapid expansion through the Pacific and anemic Chinese Empire. It was believed that this expansion along with the United States' imperial interests in the Pacific would eventually lead to war between the two nations, especially with the completion of the Panama canal. Japan had considered an invasion in 1907, and even had 10,000 troops stationed in Mexico to invade the canal, but the operation never went forth. Germany faced one problem with Japan, it declared war on Germany shortly after the war began and took Germany's possessions in the South Pacific. This didn't stop Germany from trying to gain a Japanese alliance. Japan was worth more to the Central powers than to the Allies. It was believed if Japan entered on the side of Germany, it would force Russia out of the war mainly because of their defeat by the hands of Japan in the Ruso-Japanese war. This would allow Germany for a hopeful victory over both Britain and France. Japan was constantly considering an alliance with Mexico because of it's growing interests in the nation. Like Mexico Japan also had quarrels with the United States mainly over anti-immigration laws which targeted Japanese immigrants to California. It is not known if the Mexican government ever received the telegram. What is known is the telegram was intercepted by the British and once decoded it fueled the fire of Anti-German feelings which ultimately caused the United States to join the Allies. At first the telegram was thought to be British propaganda, but on March 2, 1917 Arthur Zimmermann, the wr...
