Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-01

here today that william 0.
jenkins, American consular.
agent ct Puebla, Mexico, had
been liberated from jan. Andres
C. Garcia, e0nsUlar-general for
Mexico here, said ho had heard
the repoFt but no vefificafion Of
the raAOr. had been received.
Washington, Dec. Renewing
its request for the immediate re-
lease OF Consular Agent Jenkins
imprisoned at Pueblo. the latest
American note to Mexico, made
public here today, arraigns the
Mexican governments conduct in
ssvers terms and characterizes It
- studied attempt to ensnare the
American consular agent in the IT,
tricecies Of legal proceedings.
No ulttmAtum was served and
no Indication was given Of what
the American governments course
would be II Jenkins is not immed-
lately released.
Founded On Justice.
The note begins by saying the
United States declined to be drawn
into . judicial discussion of ir-
rslevAAt or unfmpostant natter. ,.
loalf-sSD st46GfsQasst for ne con-
sgIer Aysnt' Z. relesse Il foanted Qn
right SnG Justice 2 ~: ~ S. IS
The United States, the note says,
IL Constrained to the opinion" that
Carran9a arguments that the case
II being Investigated and that Jen-
kins has not taken opportunity to
lbe released on bail are mere ex-
cuses."
Need Not Be Locked Up.
"This government does not ad-
NIT" the note says, ''that it is nee
essary to keep Jenkins in Jail while
his case Is being Investigated and
this government fails to discern
that the 1ntricacies Of the Mexican
| penal law have been applied with
impartial effect to Jenkins"
The Mexican government can
. not argue that It can not interfere
with the judicial processes of a
state unless there has been . denia!
Of justice. the American note ar
gues, because, It contends there al
ready has been q denial Of justice,
and the Mexican constitution ex-
tends the power OF the federal gov
ernment ito all cases concerning
consular officers and diplomatic
agents"
Wnl Offer No Defense.
The United States is not to be
driven by such subtle arguments
says the note, ''into q defense o1
its request for the release OF Mr.
Jenkins. 1t is for Mexico to show
cause for his detention; not for the
United States to show cause for his
liberation"
Then the note says, stripped ol
extraneous matter with which ths
Mexican note of Nov. 26 endeavor,
to clothe 1t, the naked case Of Jen.
kins stands forth" The note theY
reviews the history Of the case ant
takes up the argument:
Kidnapers Go Free.
| Jenkins was imprisoned To-
rendering false judicial teeti
mony," in connection with the ab
duction Of which he was the vic
tim, says the note. I'm whose In
terest Is the charge Of false swear
Ing brought against Jenkins!' ask
the note. His abductors7 TIL
Mexican government is prosecuting
the victim instead Of the perpetra
tors of the crime are allowed t,
60 free"
1. While the outlaws, who endan
gered his life and took away,
large part Of his fortune, enjo.
. their freedom, the Mexican govern
ment NOW deprives Jenkins Of hi
freedom. That Jenkins Is sup
posed to be guilty of rendering
false judicial testimony. the not
says, II merely an opinion Of tn
Mexican government, entirely un
4 supported by evidence"
"The Mexican government" say
the American note. "can mot expoc
the United States to accept In tn
q grave circumstances Of. this cas-
such . hare unsupi -rted statemen
Lass valid excuse.s
Il jenktuD. weak and exAausted 1
ID hospital, the note eays, has bee