The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-12-17
MEXICAN REPLY
DEFIANT in TONE
Refuses to ReIinquish Legal
Proceedings Against
w. O. Jenkins.
HARMONY is DEsI I'D
Nevertheless ess-Believs { jase
in Point Won't 4 1t
Relations. s

ne Wexican governme fuses u
relinquish the legal : ,ceedins'
against William o. JsnN...s, Unites
States consular agent at Puebla, il
The reply to the latest United State
note which has just been forwarde,
to Washington through the Unites
States embassy.
The reply was forwarded today b.
George Summeriin, the American
charge d'affaires, He received it fron
the Mexican foreign office late las
night.
The note is defiant in tone and tn
language in setting forth the attitud
of the Mexican government is, EN-
phatic. The note cannot find that tn
court proceedings against an Amer
ican citizen can be decided by tn
formation supplied by the state de
partment in Washington, nor by rec
from Washington.
the document expresse
belief that the Jenkins case will INC
affect the harmony which, it is sin
cerely desired, exists between tn
United States and Mexico"
The note is signed by Hilario Me
dina. acting secretary. of foreign af
fairs.
Text Of MexIco's Reply.
The text OF the reply Ioiiows:
With reference To the note No.
Loot, dater the 18th or last NO
VenDer, which your excellency
transmitted to the Mexican govern.
ment acting on instructions OF the
American government relative to
the case OF Jenkins nave the honor
OF saying that under instruction OF
the president OF int republic the
Mexican government in replying to
this note will contine itself to con-
sidering some OF the principal points
OF that note without taking up and
examining it's arguments, trying
only to establish certain necessary
precedents in international law and
in order to make clear before the
people its Official conduct for, since
jenkins has been released under
bail deposited in the Puebla court
by an American citizen, the Mex
lean government thinks that any
motive for misunderstanding be-
tween the two countries has disap-
peared and that the jenkins case
has taken a very different form
than it previously presented.
The United States government
says that 1t refuses to enter into
psts ysssf fsExssa s tas a5 Il
the Jenkins case, but the Mexican
government on the contrary. thinks
that a discussion of legal questions
is matter which is essentially
| judicial, and from any other point
OF view, Is not improper or inade-
quate, and If this ministry referred
very extensively to some points re-
1t. "a
due to the fact that the Mexican
government deems that a complete
exposition of the Jenkins case is its
best Justification and conclusive
proof of the legality of its pro-
cedure.
The last paragraph OF the note.
which l am answering and which
insists on demanding the immediate
release of jenkins is based-is
ican government that the charge
of false testimony against jenkins
is unfounded. Nevertheless the be-
lief of the American government
in the innocence of jenkins is not
sufficient, according to Mexican
laws, to establish such innocence
and avoid legal consequences, and
the Mexican government cannot
accept this point of view as SOUND
from the jurisdiction of Mexican
tribunals. The belief of the Amer.
lean government is founded on re.
ports received about the case, re.
ports which aside from the value
| they might have and this the min,
istry does not deem it convenient
! to discuss, lack the proofs of i'm
partiality which, are demanded b,
| Mexican tribunals and consequentl,
does not constitute plain proof, &C
cording to the Mexican penal law
The Mexican government canno
admit that American citizens cal
be tried and absolved on simpl
reports from the state department
nor on recommendations or sug
gestions from the United State
instead of trying them by Mexica
courts and according to Mexica
| laws.
Jenkins having been granite
freedom by the Puebla court. whic
case now is being considered b
the highest court of the republic 1
order to determine which Judge !
competent to try him. the MeXica
government takes the liberty t
hope that this case shall no bnge
disturb the good relations which
sicerely hopes exist between tn
American and Mexican people.
Sharp U. S. Reply Probable.
Washington. Dec. 17.(-I. N. S.)-T
Mexican note had not arrived at
state department early today, acco
ing to officials and they stated that
probably would not be in the hands
he secretary of state for some til
in-as-much as it must be decided.
Officials were of the opinion that
refusal of the Carranza government
relinquish court proceedings agai
jenkins would be met with a sh
reply demanding expedition and A
investigation which would lead to
clearing of the whole situation.
The apparent belief on the part
the Mexican government that the
lease on bail of Jenkins relieves
situation, does not meet with acc
from the officials of the state depa
ment. They declared that the fact {
jenkins bail was furnished by
FAmerican citizen against Jenk
wishes does not relieve the Mexi
government of any responsibility. 81
the Mexican government based its
sponsibillty on the principle or Z"
process of law" officials were sol
what puzzled as to just what the n
step would be for they admitted {
the United States government VIC
act carefully when 1t came to a qu
tion of interfering with the proceed
of the Mexican supreme court, WI
the jenkins case now rests.
Tone Disappointing.
The tone of the note was disappo
ing. to say the least. to officials h
who were inclined to believe that
was merely another attempt on the !
of the Carranza government to fla
itself in the face of the American g
errment for political benefits at no
officials are somewhat accustomed
this procedure and stated that M
eouched in such terms appeal to
Mexican people, who accept 1t as
| fiance of the United States.
Secretary Lansing. 1t was sta
| probably will not have rne official !
! until late in the day and IT was
: -pected that he will consult. with
J president before any action Is take
"A &