The Washington times., 1919-11-30

that the question of jenkins release
is not a matter it eau take from the
hands of local authorities in Puebla.
| Thorough Probe Ordered.
| Instructions have been sent to
American agents at the Mexican capi-
tai. 1t was rdivulged, to make thor
| ough probe of the allegations of Mex
| lean authorities that Jenkins made
\ conflicting statements in court, thus
committing perjury after his arrest
on charge of conspiracy with the
bandits whom he said kidnapped him,
demanding ransom. The Mexican gov
| Iernment has not yet been asked for
further details of the Jenkins case,
| however. Such a note has been pre-
pared. and il was stated today it had
gone forward, but the latest develop
ment is that it is being held up until
| Hanna's report is received at Lam
! sings office.
1 Although Mexican-American rela-
tions admittedly are strained. as
| result OF the Jenkins affair and the
killing of Wallace, armed interven-
! tion is not contemplated at fhis time,
4 according to all available information.
Such step, involving an army of
100000 men. and a possible three
iyear campaign, would not be entered
into by the people of this country
with enthusiasm unless there was
more provocation, officials believe
Would Imperil Many.
| A severance of diplomatic relations
with Mexico, involving reinforcement
of the border guard, and even a block
ade of that country, have been dis
lcussed, but these moves would imperIl
the lives of Americans below the bor-
der, it was pointed out. and probably
would tend to strengthen, rather than
weaken, CarranZa in his defiant at
titude by causing all Mexican fac
tions to rally to him.
Representatives of American oil in
terests in Mexico have, it is under
stood submitted to the State Depart
ment charges that Germans have in
fiuenced CarranZistas around Tampico
| to kill Americans upon the slightest
lprovocation, in an effort to terrorize
and drive them out of the oil fields.
The murder of Wallace brings the
number of Americans killed in the
last twenty-five months around
Tampico to fourteen, according to
these charges. At least seven Of these
Americans were slain by Mexican
federal troops, it was alleged. while
the other murders were committed
under such circumstances that the
identity of the killers is unknown.
Blame German Minister.
/ No Americans had been murdered in
that region until an expedition Of
Carranza troops was sent into Tam
pico in February, 1913, to drive out
the rebel leader Palaez, these charges
declared.
German Minister Won Eckhardt who
was at Mexico City in 19lS--but has
since left-was held responsible for
I this move the charges related the
idea at first being to hamper getting
! out of oil supplies for the allies The
Americans, it was said. have been
helpless because of laws prohibiting
possession of arms by anyone in the
Tampico district except federal
| troops.
The charges said that before Amer
! leans are allowed to enter the Tam
/ pico region they must formally re-
I nounce all right to make claims
against the Mexican government in
! event of injury. These waivers were
said TO include direct claims and
claims made through other channels
in case of death, thus preventing the
United States from collecting dam
ages.
II Expect No Hostilities
The belief is strong among foreign
diplomats here that Carranza is
! Haunting the United States to
strengthen himself in the estimation
of Mexicans. These diplomats do not
expect hostlities, saying they look
for an amicable adjustment.
\ The State Department expects Con-
gress to take up the Mexican situa-
tion ahead of all other matters. If
this is done. the department Is pre-
pared to supply sound and imperative
reasons why there should be n show
down at this time.
II If there were 10 other case against
Mexico. II is generally believed, the
persecution Of Jenkins would war
rant the most dractic note to Car
rama, leaving nothing undone or un-
said except that which Congress
might do or say. .t
\ Senator Swanson. OF Virginia one
of the Administration leaders in Con-
/ gress, stated last night that the Mex
lean situation will be taken up by
| the Senate Foreign Relations Com
mittee Monday morning Similar ac-
tion in the House also is believed
4 certain.
4 Members of both bra ncbsa refIrn-