Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-11-28
MEXICO FLATLY
REFUSES RELEASE
Of i. s. CONSUL!
Government Action in Case
of W, 0, jenkins Expected
Soon-Situation Is Very
Serious y

MEXICO CITY. Nov. 27.-(By the
Associated Press.)-Belief that the
relations Of friendship between Mex
leo and the United States Cannot
be effected unfavorably" by the for
mer's refusal to take steps looking
to the release of William o. Jenkins,
United States consular agent at
Puebla, Mexico, from tho penitenitary
at Puebla- was expressed in the note
replying to the American demand for
Mr.. Jenkins liberty sent by the Mexi-
can Government to the American EN-,
bassy late yesterday.
After reviewing the case, the reply
pointed out tho judge at Puebla who
ordered Mr.. jenkins detention had
acted within his powers and that the
latter had waived his legal rights
in refusing to give bail. Only when
justice is denied, the note asserted,
can one nation demand the release
of q subject who Is imprisoned in
another country. 1t is declared the
Mexican law does not contemplate
interference by the executive branch
of the government In operations of
the judiciary and that, even in the
Unitsa States, the government is
poweT1esS to act in a case until state
courts render decision.
Little surprise was caused by the
attitude assumed by the Mexican
government, as statements by Off
Gals during the last week have re-
Elected sentiment adverse to acoeding
to the American demand.
Mr.. Jenkins was abducted on Oc-
tober "a, by q. band of outlaws UNI
der command of Federico Cordova,
and held at the latter's hacienda in
the mountains south of Puebla until
ransom OF $4,000 In gold was
paid. This sum was handed the
bandits about q week later and Mr..
Jenkins was released. the payment
being made By Senior Mestre, who
has been Mr.. Jenkins attorney. The
Mexican government later refused to-
refund the amount of the ransom, a
suggestion that was made from
Washington.
Soon after Mr.. Jenkins release, his
attorney was charged with being an
accessory Of his principals abduction
and later all correspondence In Mr..
Jenkins possession was seized and
he was Placed under surveillance on
q charge Of having conspired with
Cordova for the carrying out of an
allsgediy false abduction. He was
placed under constructive arrest but
waS not actually incarcerated until
Noceuber 10, when he was confined
in Puebla penitentiary by Judge be-
fore allegations were made that Jen-
IN Fo1H ukak
had threatened poems who were pre-
pared to testify that they had seen
Mr.. Jenkins In company with Cordova
after the former had been released
by the bandit chief.
CABINET WILL MEET
ON RECEIPT OF NOTE
WASHINGTON, Nov. 27.-Mexico's
reply refusing to comply to the
state departments recent note de-
manding the release of William o.
Jenkins, the American consular agent
imprisoned at Puebla on a charge
that he connived with the bandits
who kidnapped and held him for ran
som, had not been received in Wash
tngton early today. The only tnfor-
nation officials had that a reply had
been sent was contained in press dis
patches last night. The text of the
reply as carried In these dispatches
was read carefully, but comment was
withheld pending receipt and con-
sideration of the official copy.
Although this was legal holiday
state department officials were at
their offices early to await receipt
Of the Mexicans' communications.
There was no indication, however, as
to when a cabinet meeting would be
called to consider the reply, but it
was believed such a meeting would
follow almost Immediately after re-
ceipt of tho Carranza governments
statement. In the meantime there
was much speculation in diplomatic
circles az to the further course of
the controversy, and representatives
Of foreign governments watched tho