Zimmermann Telegram (crypto history)

[cjl <cjl@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu>]

On Tue, 23 Jan 1996, Perry E. Metzger wrote:

> 
> It was the Zimmermann Telegram, actually, and it was a dispatch from
> the Germans to the Mexicans trying to promise them most of the
> southwest in exchange for being allies against the U.S. (which wasn't
> yet in the war). The Brits intercepted and decoded it and released it,
> which forced the U.S. into World War I.
> 

Why is it that I seem to recall that one of the responses by a govt. 
official to the intercept was the infamous diplomatic quote

"Gentlemen do not read other gentlemen's mail"

Ah, would that this sentiment were more common in government circles 
today (sigh) . . . . 


C. J. Leonard                     (    /      "DNA is groovy"
                                   \ /                - Watson & Crick
<cjl@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu>      / \     <--  major groove
                                  (    \
Finger for public key               \   )
Strong-arm for secret key             /    <--  minor groove
Thumb-screws for pass-phrase        /   )