The Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 191?-19??, 1919-11-25
Warning TO
MEXICO IS not
YET ANSWERED
jenkins Believed Still in Prison De-
spite U. S. Demand For
Release.

Washington, Nov. 21.-State De
partment officials still awaited to-
night a reply to the note warning the
Mexican government that any fur
Their molestation of William 0. Jen-
kins, American Consular Agent at
Peubla, who was arrested twice in
connection with his recent abduction
by bandits, would seriously affect
the relations between the United
States and Mexico.
While the text of the American
governments communication has
not been made public, the summary
published by the State Department
indicated that it was one of the
sharpest even sent to the Carranza
Government. 1t said the United
States was both Surprised and in
censed" to learn of the reimprison-
ment of jenkins and demanded his
immediate release.
So far as was made known, no re-
port regarding jenkins reached the
department today from the embassy
at Mexico City, but officials believed
that if he had not been released he
soon would be as result of the State
Departments demand.
A. Many Soldiers Needed.
Discussing the general Mexican
situation today, State Department
officers revealed that before the
world war the army staff estimated
that complete Intervention in Mex
leo would require 100000 men, OPP
Grating over a period of three years.
Present estimates were not available,
but it is known that army officials
hold that the force necessary at this
time would be much less because of
the increased army equipment, such
as motorized transport, artillery and
airplanes.
During the day the department
made public complete report from
jenkins on his capture and his sub
sequent treatment in hospital at
Peubla after his friends had agreed
to pay $4,000 in gold for his ran
som, pledging their lives that the
installments would be Forthcoming.
It was under date of Nov.'7 and am
plified the account which jenkins
wrote to Representative Davis OF
Tennessee and which Mr.. Davis made
public yesterday.
No Attempt To Catch Bandits
Jenkins said that "a very impor-
tant matter" was that, although
the local government could hardly
be restrained from sending troops
out Immediately to punish my cap
tors when they learned of my cap
ture, they have not made the slight
est effort to do so since / returned
twelve days ago. although they have
been melted to do so, but excuse
themselves by saying that they Will
do 50"
''The rebels are only few miles
distant" he wrote, "they have been
there for months and years, they
plant, cultivate and gather their
crops entirely unmolested, the whole
countryside is with them, and yet
the government apparently makes no
effort to drive them away, and give
decent protection to this city. There
are in the Immediate vicinity of this
city not less than half a dozen I'M
portant bands of rebels, all of them
well known to the Government and
no determined effort has ever been
made to fight them. This is the sit
uation as it is today in this city"
Peubla is the second largest city
in Mexico.
Another Outrage.
Jenkins also said it was worthy
of attention to take note of the at
titude of the state Government OF
Peubla assumed toward this incident,
for almost Immediately after my
capture the official paper of the Gov
eminent published the opinion that
/ had been instrumental in my own
kidnapping and that had formed q
plot with the rebels and other friends
of mine to cause international diff.
ficulties; also that it was the in.
tention to collect this ransom from
the Mexican Government and divide
it, etc. etc.
Expenses Incurred.
The consular agent itemized the
expense he incurred in connection
with his abduction, placing the tota
sum at 1857, 34L91 Mexican gold, il
addition to the 100000 Mexican
gold paid or to be paid to bandits
the loss included s5O,626.65 Mexican
gold stolen from the safe in thu
agents Office; $3.50 expenses ant
lawyers fees for Lie Mestre, FRIEND
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