Zimmermann Telegram (decoded text), 16 January 1917
by Arthur Zimmermann
Published: 1917-01-16
Edition: Decoded message text of the telegram of 16 January 1917 from the German Foreign Secretary, Arthur Zimmermann, as held in Decimal File 862.20212, General Records of the Department of State, Record Group 59, transcribed on the National Archives milestone-documents page
Text source: U.S. National Archives, milestone documents (https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/zimmermann-telegram)
Text basis: National Archives transcript of the decoded English text, not of the German cipher original. The page names no translator.
Rights: A record in the General Records of the Department of State, held and transcribed by the National Archives, a United States federal record (17 U.S.C. 105). The text is also a diplomatic dispatch of 1917, public domain by age.

From the FRAME library (https://propagandaarchive.org/library/). The wording is the source's own; see the work's page for the mechanical changes made.

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Decoded Text of the Telegram of January 16, 1917
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(Decoded message text of the Zimmermann Telegram)

FROM 2nd from London # 5747.

"We intend to begin on the first of February unrestricted submarine warfare. We shall endeavor in spite of this to keep the United States of America neutral. In the event of this not succeeding, we make Mexico a proposal or alliance on the following basis: make war together, make peace together, generous financial support and an understanding on our part that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. The settlement in detail is left to you. You will inform the President of the above most secretly as soon as the outbreak of war with the United States of America is certain and add the suggestion that he should, on his own initiative, invite Japan to immediate adherence and at the same time mediate between Japan and ourselves. Please call the President's attention to the fact that the ruthless employment of our submarines now offers the prospect of compelling England in a few months to make peace." Signed, ZIMMERMANN.