New-York tribune., 1919-11-07
Unless Negligence Is Proved
Against Carranza. Victims
of Robbers and Kidnapcrs
Will Be Given No Help
Jenkins Case Is Dropped
Mexican Papers Now Express
Doubt if American Consul
at Puebla Was Abducted

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6.--Tho policy
of the United States regarding kid
mapping Of Americans in Mexico and
attacks upon Americans and their
property in that country was set forth
to-day in an official announcement that
unless negligence on the part of the
Mexican authorities can be shown,
there will be no claim for damages
made by this government. The kid
mapping of William O. Jenkins, Amcri-
can consular agent at Puebla. and the
payment by his attorney Of s15O,o0o
ransom for his liberty was discussed
at length by high official of the State
Department in outlining the policy of
the United States.
Jenkins will have to effect his own
reimbursement of the money Paid to
the Mexicans who kidnapped him, it
was said, unless he can prove that the
Mexican government was negligent in
aifording him protection. Thc fact
that he was an official of the United
States government has no bearing on
the matter in any way. il was stated.
Americans. in Mexico can expect no
more or different protection than is
ican law, this official said. in definitely
disposing Of the suggestion that the
protection sought by Americans in
Mexico through diplomatic channels. to
counter balance the greater measure
OF protection granted to Mexicaus by
their courts, will not be urged by this
government.
Payroll Robbery Different
It was admitted by the State Depart
ment official that the robbery of Amer
lean Mine and Oil Company paymasters
might be- different, as the paymasters
are compelled to notify the authorities
in advance OF their route. time Of de-
parture and the amount of money car
ricd Assertion that on occa ions Mex
lean soldiers in Federal uniforms were
reported as participating in the rob
berries and that officers of the Federal
army at times have led their men in
alleged raids on the camps, brought the
reply that in such event there might
be- grounds for q claim against the
Mexican government under interna-
tional law.
Advices from Mexico City to-day IN
dicated the newspapers of that capital
are much exercised over the situation
and the refusal of the Carranza gov
ernment to reimburse Jenkins tor the
~
he Attorney General of the state OF
Puebla, in which the kidnapping took
place, has urged "The Universal" not
to express an opinion unit. the matter
has been thoroughly investigated by
court officials, declaring that up to the
present no legal evidence has been pre-
sented as to the kidnapping or the
payment of the ransom.
Jenkins Story Verified
"The Excelsior" another prominent
newspaper, however, states unequlvo-
cally that everything indicates that
jenkins was actually kidnapped. This
newspaper conducted an Independent
investigation Of the case ana has pre-
sented the first detailed account of the
incident. "Thc Excelsior" IN its ac
count, says that five "rcbcls" seized
Jenkins at his factory in Puebla on
October 19. The consular agent was
compelled to open the safe which was
rifed of its contents and Was taken
outside the factory, where horses Were
waiting and was carried Oil and kept
q week until he had arranged to pay
the ransom. Jenkins holds The receipt
of the bandit leader, Federico Cordoba,
for 100000 pesos ransom.
The newspaper further states that
the American was not sub bieCjed to any
bad treatment, but that he suffered
the natural discomforts attendant up
his health broke down. lie was com
PEELED to sleep on the ground forced
on living with the bandits and that
to undergo long, hard rides in heavy
rains He feared that mis- life was in
danger at all times, although there
were no open threats, since he was in
the power Of men wholly undisciplned
who engaged in drinking bouts and
fights at all times. The "rebels, ="
fearing attempts at reccue, kept con-
stantly on the move. Jenkins finally
was allowed to write to his wife and
the letters were taken to Puebla by
secret emissaries of the "rebelS."