The Washington times., 1919-11-27
MEXICO NOTE
/ ON JENKINS
IS DUE TODAY
Answer, Refusing Demand, Says
America Has No Right
to interfere.
CASE CALLED PURELY LOCAL
Declares Protests In Order Only
After Consul Has Been
Sentenced. =
CASE CALLED PURELY LOCAL

MEXICO CITY. Nov. 27.-Aexieo
is now awaiting the next step Of the
United States in the diplomatic "a
changes over the releasr Of Williaa
o. Jenkins. United States consular
agent at Puebla, who is in prison ct
Puebla-
The Mexican reply to the Unitsd
States note. refusing Waahinetou's
request that Mr.. jenkins Be released
was handed to George l. Summer
lin. acting charge d'affAksvr~W .
o'clock Wednesday. II IL sGpsstei
4k~it Aiu be in the han1s e the
State Department at Washinstsn
some time today.
Basis q Refusal.
The Mexican government bases It's
refusal on the ground that Mr. Jenk-
ins is now In the hands Of the local
Mexican authorities at Puebla. and
contends that the United States has
no right TO interfere with court action
in Mexico. The reply points out
however. that the United States
would have the right to make rep
reservations IL sentence 10 passed
upon Mr.. Jenkins, and the United
States Government thinks It Is un-
just"
The Mexican government contends
that the United States lie asking for
more rights in behalf of Mr.. Jenkins
than the Mexican Constitution sccords
N ha nationals Qf MeNl(n j
The reply states that the MextcAs
government seeks only an impartial
investigation and adjudication of the
Jenkins cese. saying that this can
not affect the friendly relations now
existing between Mexico and the
United States"
Arrest Called Jsst.
IL is contended that the Arrest and
imprisonment of Mr.. Jenkins was not
unjust nor was Mexico seeking to
prosecute the American consular
agent
But the United States Government
seems TO have taken IL for granted
that Mr.. Jenkins fs innocent, despite
the fact that the Mexican authorities
have not concluded their investiea-
ton, which 10 being conducted with
SAYS the Mexican note
II is claimed that the United
States demand for Mr.. jenkins re-
lease was evidently based upon an
imperfect knowledge OF the Mexicaa
penal code. After reciting that the
Judge at Puebls had secured enough
evidence to warrant the charge tper-
jury) against Mr.. Jenkins, the Mexf-
can government then went into .
lengthy explanation of the Mexican
law governing penal cases.
The note asks the United States
Government TO suspend any further
Judgment until the Investigation of
the Jenkins case at Pueblo is con-
cluded.
Mr.. Jenkins cannot claim himself q
victim OF circumstances, the Mexican
government claims. Furthermore. II
contends that the consular agent 10
not being detained in Jail against his
will, as the opportunity was given
him to give hail.
Can't Instruct JuAGe.
. Observations are then made upon
the rights OF the Mexican government
in dealing with suspected persona IL
is argued that the national executive
has not the power TO order the judge
In such proceedings TO take any
course other than what the judge may
adhere TO under the law.
In this same connection IL is pointed
out that "the President of the United
States could do no more towards re-
leasing a citizen on trial than the
President of Mexico"
The note indicates that the Csrranxa
government is determined TO give M.
jenkins the same treatment he would
receive were he q national OF Mxico.
The note is signed by Hilario Ne
dina, acting foreign minister. Foreign
Minister AEuillar In in Europe
Jenkins viii be released as soon a.
he Gives bail. which has been nxed at
4 900 pesos tsbout 5000. the note said
The demands OF the United States
have no basis in international Law,
IT was contended. II was pointed out
that An American should expect ~
more rights In Mexico than q NexicaD
enjoys In the United States. Amse1s
(ContinueA On Para Colunn ~