Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1919-11-21
Affront to This Nation
Intended, Says Victim
of kidnapping in Letter
to Congressman.
Rebels Declared He Was
Abducted Solely Be-
cause He Was Repre-
sentative of the u. S.

Washington, Nov. 20.-Warn-
ing that further molestation of
William 0. Jenkins, United
States consular agent at Puebla,
by Mexican officials will seri-
ously affect the relations be-
tween the United States and
Mexico, for which the govern
ment of Mexico must assume
sole responsibility" was sent to
the Mexican government today,
according to announcement to-
night by the state department.
Quoting the note sent through
the embassy at Mexico City. the
departments announcement said
the United States government
was surprised and incensed' on
learning of the reimprisonment
of the consular agent for the al
legged completely in his own abb
duction recently. Jenkins i'm
mediate release is called for and
his rearrest characterized as alb
solutely arbitrary and unwar-
ranted.
Mexicans Carrying Chip.
In kidnapping him, the Mexican bandits.
intended TO commit direct affront IN
the American government. Jenkins de-
ciared IN a letter received here, TODAY.
oy Representative Davis. of Tennessee
Representative Davis said he had been
informed at the state department that
the American embassy at Mexico City
had reported the re-arrest of Jenkins
and that the embassy had been instructed
10 demand his immediate release
jenkins letter contained the first COM
piete story of his kidnapping 60 be made
public in the United States.
Consular Funds Stolen,
I want to especially call to your at
tenuon. II said. that | was kidnaped
from the United States consular office
that even a part Of the money robbed
was United States consular funds. that
was not kidnapped as private per
son, but as the United States reprcsen-.
tatlre. as this YVES clearly stated by the
rebels, and if | had not been serving the
government. it is not at all probable
that would have been carried off. for
they could as well have carried off
dozen richer men than |"
Tells of Re-Arrest.
Mr.. Jenkins letter was dated Noyem-
Der T. before his first arrest BY officers
OF Puebla on charges Of collision in con-
necuon with his abduction and subse-.
quent ransom for S150,o00 He was re-
arrested Tuesday on the charge of
threatening poems who gave evidence on
which his first arrest was made When
first arrested he was released and re-
stricted to his home, but so far as the
state department has been advised. he
now is in custody at Puebla.
Mr.. Jenkins WROTE Representative
Davis that he planned to return to mis-
Former home in Tennessee soon. ana
that. II necessary. he would come to
Washington 10 push mis- claim for as
sistance in payment of the ransom"
Wants Redress.
Il feel. he wrote. that as my kid
napIng was due directly to my official
with the government, thar as
was at the place of duty assigned to
ne by the United States government.
hat | was at the time Of being carried
,ff complying with the instructions If
he government. and was not in anv
,lnce outside. | repeat that l feel it il
'nly fair that | be assisted in this great
blow and ! want to get this matter pre-
'ented fairly 10 the authorities in Wash
ngton,'
Jenkins said the payment of the S15o,-
NM in af1x tnl
nstallment plan by the bandit leader
The Mexican government. .Ienkias
wrote did nothing at all to effect my
release" He added that, instead OF re-
ewing assistance or sympathy from the
puehia state authorities, they caused