Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-11-07
DON 7 EXPECT AID
Of j. 6. IF YOU
ARE kIDNAPE ED IN
CARRANZA' s LAND
No Claim for Damages viii
Be Made Unless There Is
Negligence On the Part of
the Mexican Authorities.
JENKINS WILL HAVE TO
"DIG UP" FOR LIBERTY
Consular Agent Must Effect
His Own Reimbursement,
Unless He Can Prove That
Government Was Negligent

tsY MORNING JOURNAL epEc,AL LEAsgo w,RE,
Washington, Nov 6.--The policy of
the United States regarding kidnap-
ping Americans in Mexico and attacks
upon Americans and their property
in that country, was set forth today
in an official announcement that un-
less negligence on the part of tho
Mexican authorities can be shown.
there will be no claim for damages
made by this government. The kid
mapping of william O. Jenkins Amer
lean consular agent at Puebla, and
the payment by his attorney of $780,
600 ransom for his liberty was dis
cussed at length by high official of
the state department 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, II
was said, unless he can prove that the
Mexican government was negligent in
affording him protection. The fact
that he was an official of the United
States government has no bearing on
the matter in any way, 1t was stated
Americans in Mexico can expect no
more or different protection than is
afforded to Mexicans under the Mex
lean law this official said, in defi-
nitely suggesting that the protection
sought by Americans in Mexico
through diplomatic channels, to coun-
terbalance the greater measure of pro-
lection granted to Mexcans by their
courts, will not be urged by this gov
ernment.
Robbery of Paymasters.
1t was admitted by the state depart
ment officials that the robbery of
American mine and oil company pay
masters might be" different, as the
paymaster8 are compelled to notify tho
authorities in advance of their route.
time of departure and the amount Of
money carried. Assertion that on oc-
casions Mexican soldiers in federal
uniforms are reported as participate
ing in the robberies and that officers
of the federal at times have led their
men in alleged raids on camps,
brought the reply that in such events
there might be" grounds for com
plant against the Mexican govern
ment under international law.
Advices from Mexico City today in
dicated the newspapers of that city
are much exercised over the situation
ernment to reimburse Jenkins for the
money paid to the Mexican kidnap-
pers. The attorney general of the state
Of Puebla, in which the kidnapping oc-
cured has urged the Universal not to
express an opinion until the matter
has been thoroughly investigated by
court officials, declaring that up to
The present no legal evidence has been
presented as to the kidnapping or tho
payment of the ransom.
jenkins Actually Kidnapped
The Excelsior, another prominent
newspaper. however, states unequivo-
,ally that everything indicates that
Jenkins was actually kidnapped.
The newspaper conducted an inde-
pendent investigation of the case and
mas presented the first detailed ac-
count of the incident.
The Excelsior in its account says
hat five "rebels" seized jenkins at his
'actery in Puebla on October 10. The
consular agent was compelled TO open
he safe, which was rifled of it's con-
ents was taken outside the factory,
where horses were waiting, and was
'arried off and kept week until he
lad arranged to pay the ransom. Jen-
Sins holds the receipt of the bandit
eader, Federico Cordoba, for 100000
)esos ransom.
The newspaper further states that
le suffered the natural discomforts
ttendant upon living with the ban
Its and that his health was broken
lown. He was compelled to sleep on
he ground, forced to undergo the
ong, hard rides in heavy rains. He
cared that his life was in danger at
III times although there were no
pen threats, since he was in the pow
r of men wholly undisclplined, who
ngaged in drinking bouts and fights
I all times. The rebels" fearing at
empts at rescue, kept constantly on
he move. Jenkins finally was al
owed to write TO his wife and the let
ers were taken to Puebla by secret
missaries of the "rebels"