Evening journal., 1919-12-01
Nv RALPH III. TURNER.

United Press stan Correspondent.
| Copyright, 1919. by the United Press J
| MEXICO CITY, Dec. t.-InternatiOnal
developments today intensity the impor-
tsnce Of the complete declaration OF in
nocence made by William o. jenkins
/ American consular agent, In an exclu-
I slve statement given the United Press
in Puebla, on Friday.
my innocence Will be proved" said
jenkins, MY friends know IL and
Washington knows Il. The books OF
my business show that l was prosper
Gus and did lot need the ransom
money"
Jenkins stated that his attorney was
seeking to transfer the case TO the Fed
eral courts. where, he said. it belonged.
III necessary, | will remain in prison
and tight II out" declared the consular
agent. ~ hope that | will not be the
cause OF interpational complications.
but am determined to establish my in
nOoence as quickly as possible.
II understand the charge OF false
declaration, made against me, Is based
upon my denial Of testimony by poems,
that / was seen on, a ranch with ban
dts during the period Of my abduc-
tion. ! have evidence to dlsprove my
presence there, but have not been given
an opportunity to present It in court
Some poems said later that they gave
their evidence through mIsunder
standing"
jenkins greeted me cordially in al
large room, formerly an office on the
second floor Of the old penitentiary, at
Puebls He said he was glad TO see
me as was the FIRST American CORES
pondent he had seen since abduction,
October 49, He seemed quite comfort
ably located and had no complaint Of
the treatment he had received from
Mexican officials His wife sees him |
daily and is permitted 10 take hot meals |
to him from their home. jenkins has /
a desk and typewriter in his room and
is permitted TO keep up his correspon- /
dence as a consular agent A peon
prisoner cleans his room every day
jenkins described his kidnapping TO 1
me as we walked about the peniten- |
tiary building. he pointing out various |
things Of interest. including an upstairs |
room containing many rows Of skulls, /
licketed and classified during the Diaz
regime, for the study Of crimologye
II was about o'clock in the evening I
on October 10, when jenkins left his /
home 10 inspect his factory. Five ban
dts, evidently hidden In the factory, /
surprised him and compelled him 10
open the safe. The bandits took he
contents, consisting Of more than $4,000
pesos. jenkins said he thought then
they were through and satisfied. but
was astonished TO find that they in
sisted that he accompany them. He
argued without avail, but was finally
permitted to say farewell to his wife
and TO get an overcoat from his house
TWO bandits went ahead with the
money and three others accompanied 4
Jenkins into the hills. jenkins was
not mistreated As a result Of sleep-
ing outdoors three nights in the rain,
however, he contracted rheumatism. |,
from which he is still suffering.
The charges Of collusion were
simply cooked up said jenkins.
There is no explanation for them
from a basis Of law
II also wish to deny vigorously the
local insinuation that my alleged ac-
lion was to promote Intervention. I
10 not favor Intervention. For one
'eason, II would damage my business
here.
II will not provide bail unless the
American State Department orders me
o do so, because that would protract
he case with possibly no definite ,
ettlement. Thus far no date has been
et for a trial.
so many OF my friends come in that
am unable to give any attention to my :
usiness. but l am determined 10 see !
his through TO a finish"
jenkins is muscular, out-of-door :