The reports further declare that German citizens in Mexico are being treated with great consideration, their property not being molested. Some Americans have taken advantage of the favors accorded German subjects by placing their property in the hands of German friends upon leaving Mexico. This information was disclosed by a competent authority in connection with information concerning the activity in Mexican affairs of Captain Franz von Tinten, now under indictment in New York for conspiracy to foment strikes in American munitions plants, and under arrest in England.

Von Tinten is known by the authorities mentioned, as well as by government officials, to have been most active in Mexican affairs. His activities began at the time Villa and Carranza were at odds, and when Huerta went to the border to direct a plot to gain control of the government. Von Tinten today was described as having been prompted by three motives in endeavoring to stir up trouble between the United States and Mexico, although primarily his activities were said to have been directed against the entente allies and not against the United States.

The information obtained leads of officials to believe that Von Tinten thought that by starting a dispute between the United States and Mexico, munition shipments from America would be stopped; that the United States would be too busy.  To pursue the submarine controversy, and that the allied navies would be prevented from securing fuel oil and gasoline from the Mexican fields. More than 60 percent of the oil used in the British navy comes from Mexico. 