Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-11-07
J, s, POLICY ON
 K|DNAP|NCS IN
 MEXICO FORMED
Won't Exact Reimbursement Except When Neglect Is
 Shown.

Washington, Nov. 6.-Policy of the United States regarding kidnap- ing of Americans in Mexico and at tacks upon Americans and thelr property in that country was set forth today in an official announce ment that unless negligence on the part of the Mexican authorities can be shown there will be no claim for damages made by this govern ment. The Kidnapping of William o. Jenkins, American consular agent at Puebla, and the payment by his attorney of $150000 ransom for his liberty, was discussed at length by high official of the state depart ment in outlining the policy of the United States.
 Jenkins will have to effect his own reimbursement of the money paid to the Mexicans who kidnapped him, it was said, unless he can prove that the Mexican government was neg ligent in affording him protection. The fact that he was an official of the United States government has no bearing on the matter Tn any way, it was stated. Americans in Mexico can expect no more or diff ferent protection than is afforded to Mexicans under the Mexican law, this official said, in definitely dis posing of the suggestion that the protection sought by Americans in Mexico through diplomatic channels to counter-balance the greater meas ure of protection granted to Mexi- cans by their courts, will not be urged by this government.
 Press Aroused.
 It was admitted by the state de- partment official that the robbery of American Mine and Oil company paymasters, might be" different, as the paymasters are compelled to mo- tify the authorities in advance of their route, time of departure and the amount of money carried. As sertion that on occasions Mexican soldiers in federal uniforms are re- ported as participating in the rob berries, and that officers of the fed eral army at times have led thelr men in alleged raids on the camps, brought the reply that in such event there might be" grounds for a claim against the Mexican govern ment under international law.
 Advices from Mexico City today indicated the newspapers of that capital are much exercised over the situation and the refusal of the Car ranza government to reimburse Jen- kins for the money paid to the Mexi- can kidnapers.
 The attorney general of the state of Puebla. in which the Kidnapping occurred, has urged the Universal l not to express an opinion until the matter has been thoroughly investi- gated by court officials, declaring l that up to the present no legal evl- dence has been presented as to the kidnaping or the payment of the ransom.
 The Excelsior, another prominent newspaper. however, states unequi- vocally that everything indicates that Jenkins was actually kidnapped This newspaper conducted an inde. pendent investigation of the case and has presented the first detailed account of the incident.
 Denies Indignities.
 The Excelsior. in it's account says that five "rebels" seized Jen kins at his factory in Puebla on Oc tober 19. The consular agent was compelled to open the safe, which was rifled of it's contents, was takel outside the factory, where horse: were waiting and was carried of. and kept a week until he had ar ranged to pay the ransom. Jenkin: holds the receipt of the bandit lead
 CT, Federico Cordoba, for 300,00( pesos ransom.
 l The newspaper further states tha l the American was not subjected t( any bad treatment, but that he suf \ fered the natural discomforts at Il tnndant nn living with the bandit: