The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-12-10
American Embassy in Mexico
City Sends News to the
Nations Capital
ANOTHER REPORT IS
;. CAUSE OF CONFUSION
Dispatches Tell of, Money De-
posted, But State Dept. Says
Release Was on Demand

Washington. Dec 5.-William O.
Jenkins. the American consular agent,
imprisoned at Puebla, Mexico, was re-
leased Thursday night.
The American embassy in Mexico
City reported his release in an official
dispatch received by the state depart
ment this afternoon and almost at the
same time news dispatches We're re-
ceived from Mexico City which said a
check for $500 had been deposited
with the civil authorizes at Puebla.
This difference in the two reports
seemed 20 raise some doubt as to
whether jenkins was released uncon-
ditionally on the diplomatic represen-
tations Of the United States govern
ment OF whether he had been released
on bail. as The Mexican authorities
have comtended he could.
The state department, however, took
the view that jenkins had been re-
leased on its diplomatic representa-
ions and issued this statement:
The release of William O. Jenkins,
the American consular agent at
Puebla, Mexico was reported late this
afternoon from the American el15as-
sy st Mexico City.
The release Of Consular Agent
Jenkins was brought about by urgent
diplomatic representations made by
this government and the resulting in
vcstigation made by Gen. Pablo Con-
Zales who was sent to Puebla, by the
Mexican government to: investigate the
facts in the case. The Investigations
by General Gonzales. who was at
Puebla or December. had then prac-
ccaiN. surstantiatet The position taken
by This government On behalf Of Jen-
kins.
Two poems from Santa Lucia adj
nlittcd To General Gonzales that they
had made declarations against ]en-
,irs under threat OF execution. 9th
er witnesses testified they had been
compelled to make false statements
against Jenkins under duress. One
witness was threatened by rope. and
still another beaten Until he made his
declartion against Jenkins.
These facts are shown in the court
records Of the case
Every effort was made here today to
check up on a cabled report from
Mexico City saying that according to a
Puebla dispatch 70 . Mexican CITY
newspaper Jenkins was released after
j. Salter Hansen had deposited $500
check for bail Officials of the State
department said they had no informa-
ton whatever concerning Hansen.
They stood on the statement that the
consular agent had been released on
demand Of this government.
In some quarters however, there
was Il suggestion that there may have
been a confusion of names. as Secre-
tary Lansing announced that a dis
patch from the American embassy
said Third Assistant Secretary Mat
thew E. Hanna. had been sent to
Puebla in connection with represen-
tations for release Of jenkins. Off
Gals declared, however. that even II
the names had been confused there
was no inofrmation here to indicate
that Hanna had put up bond and in
fact they expressed utmost assurance
that he had not done so.
Reports from Jenkins since his ar
rest ard personal letters from him to
relatives in this country have all quot
ed him as being most determined not
20 put up a cent of bail in order to OBJ
tain his release. This fact was cited
by officials to support their contention
that the release of the consular agent
was brought about 'by urgent dlplo-
matte representations made by this
government and the resulting investi-
cation made by Gen. Pablo Gonzales.
who was sent to invest gate the facts
in the case