South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-12-24
Other Editors Than Ours
JENKINS NOT \ NEW NAME IN INTERNATIoN-
AL TROUBLE.
New York Evening Sun.


The case of William O. Jenkins United States
consular agent at Puebla Mexico. who alb
Quoted by bandits, is not the first in history in
which the i'll treatment-or alleged i'll treatment
OF a man named Jenkins has brought about inter-
national complications.
Nearly zoo years ago the Spaniards cut off an
of a man named Robert Jenkins-or, any rate,
jenkins said they cut off one of his ears-and war
between Great Britain and Spain resulted. The war
is known in history THE War of Jenkins Ear
II Is not at all certain that the Spaniards really
cut off jenkins ear. But the cut Off
thcless, Jenkins carried It about with him to prove
story, and produced it in evidence before COM
mittee OF the house of commons.
The British commission examined the severed
member of jenkins anatomy and worked up
such pitch Of patriotic fury that they approved
the which ensued. They deemed crime in
the calendar comparable with Selling English
sea captain and cropping off of his
Net until later it intimated that English legal
authorities acting strictly within the penal code in
force in the middle OF the 18th century and long
afte~vard had sentenced Jenkins. for offense
against the laws of England, to the piory and the
loss of of his ears.
also said the parties interested in embroil-
ing England and Spain had seized the severed
ear OF JenIins-if the metaphor be permitted-as
a pretext to bring about war. Whether Jenkins lost
his at the hands of the Spaniards, he said.
at the hands Of the common executioner in Eng
land the am9utated member certainly was the i'm
mediate preteSt Of the which began in 1899.
The war commenced in the year named but Jen-
kins according to his story. lost his at the
hands of the Spaniards eight years before in 1871.
He master mariner and engaged in trade
between England and the West Indies.
However the Spanish authorities in the west
Indies objected jenkins activities and as he was
bringing home his brig Rebecca across the Spanish
main the vessel was boarded by a Spanish guarda
costa.
The spaniards accused the Englishman Of land
ing goods contrary to Spanish laws. and searched
the holds of the Rebecca for evidence. They found
nothing, and then. if jenkins story Is true, they
treated him with extreme cruelty, hanging him to
his yardarm until he nearly dead Then
Jenkins said, they cut off his tore It off, and
bade him take it to the English king with their
compliments.
When Jenkins got 10 England he went to the king
with his story taking with him the wrap
incident the British commander in chief in the
Yves; Indies made a report confirming the story told
by Capt. Jenkins However that may be- II Will
seem strange to student OF English history
which is filled with strong assertions Of The rights
Of the individual Englishman, that nothing done
in the matter for several years
Not until 1888. when relations between Spain
and Great Britain already strained severely
West Indies did Jenkins appear before commit
tee OF the house OF commons Then the dramatic
exhibition OF the famous served 70 bring
tiers TO a climax The War Of jenkins Ear" was
proclaimed. although not, OF course by that name
The real object OF the war was not TO get revenge
for the assault on Jenkins but 10 compel Spain 70
code larger share in the West Indies trade The
war was popular with the people OF England, al
Robert walpole, the prin minister, opposed
to H.
London received with delight the news Of the dec
lcrauon OF war and bells pealed from every
'stee pie" Yes" said walpole. they may ring the
bells now. but before long they Will he wringing
their hands"
He was true prophet. for the English suffered
heavy losses in the expedition against Cartsgena.
South America Later CO mmodore inflicted
great damage on the Spanish colonies and return
ed 10 England with much treasure.