The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-12-03
Position on Jenkins Case is
Same Today as It Has Been,
Says Acting Foreign
Minister.
NO BREAK IS EXPECTED
America VIII. be Convinced Of Justice
Of MexIco's Stand II She
VIII be Pa.
tient-


Staff Correspondent
MEXICO CITY, Dec. S,-The Mexi-
can government has not changed its
attitude in the Jenkins case.
This declaration was made today
by Hilario Medina, acting foreign
minister, in an exclusive interview
with The United Press.
'Mexicos position is the same to-
day as stated in It's recent note to
the United States" said Medina.
1--WE outlined the facts then, and
they are unchanged 1t is true rela'
tions are delicate, but they are moi
so critical as to cause break. i do
not think they are beyond the pos.
sibility Of an amicable settlement.
Medina said he must reserve opin
ion regarding the latest American
note (Which reiterated that Consular
Agent Jenkins must be released from
Puebla jaiD. He could not indicate
Mexico's reply, he said, because 1t
would only follow the most careful
consideration, but he expressed the
belief the American government was
misinformed regarding circumstances
in the Jenkins case and mfsunder
stood Mexico's position.
The minister said he wished to
make plain that the Mexican govern
ment is not accusing Consular Agent
jenkins. but that the case was one
instituted in local courts at Puebla
and that the decision rested with
them.
Relative to the contention that the
case belonged to the federal court
Medina said there was possibil1tv
II would go there, but that the ques.
ton of Jurisdiction would be decided
by the supreme court. This was the
first intimation that such a course
was contemplated. He did not know
when the ruling would be made.
Meanwhile Jenkins has an oppor-
tunity to obtain his liberty by fur-
nishing a small BAIL Medina said,
and is being well treated. While he
had not been formally charged with
collusion with the bandits who kid
naped him, the Puebla authorities are
still investigating that phase. Ihe
minister maintained that consular
agent is not beyond the Jurisdiction
of the state courts and is entitled to
no different treatment than private
individual In such a matter.
II beg the American public anc
press to wait and be calm and they
are sure to be convinced Of the JUS
tice of Mexicos stand" Medina con
cluded.
Rcport on Intervention.
WASHINGTON. Dec. B. Senator
Falls special Mexico investigating
conamittee is ready to report AZ any
time ON the advisabiiity Of armed IN
lteryention by the United States, con
unittee members said today
! Fall, Just back from the pordef
had 4 long conference with Seer stary
Lansing. Fall said later his commit
tee can make a partial report Il ny
time for the Information of congress
should ii be needed although much
Investigating remains to be done.
Meanwhile Mexico had not replied
to Lansing's second note reques -ihe
release of VIM. O. jenkins, American
consular agent imprisoned at Puebla
Another refusal to free Jenkins would
not surprise the state department, II
was learned. Such refusal, it is
expected, would make the situation
suficiently serious to be called to the
attention of President Wilson and
| the cabinet. Ignacio Bonillas, Mexi
| can ambassador, was expected tc
present to Secretary Lansing today
| the evidence supplied by the Mexican
! government to support the charge ot
perjury against jenkins. This ey1'
dence was forwarded to Bonillas by
Hilario Medina, acting minister OF
foreign affairs of Mexico, according
! To reports from Mexico City.
! Information reached washington
| today of the kidnapping Of Norman
Rowe, a British subject by rebels al
Zacatecas, who held him for ransom
The British vice consul at zacatecas
| Immediately protested and reported
(Continged on page %