The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-17
NOTE TO MEXICO!
q. S. Makes Urgent Representa-
tiOns for Jenkins's Release.
Consular Agent Was Arrested
on Charge of Conspiracy.
PEONS' CONFESSION FORCED?
State Department Hears No
Grounds to Their Statement.
jenkins Is Now Being Confined
to His Home.
PEONS' CONFESSION FORCED?

Washington, Nov. 1.-THE govern
ment has made urgent representations
William o. Jenkins. American consul
at Puebla, arrested by Mexican author
tiles, the state department announced
today.
jenkins was arrested by the Mexi-
cans on a charge of having conspired
with the bandits who recently kid
nap@d him, the alleged motive evident
ly being to split the reward.
Charges Were "Forced?"
The state department understands
these charges were made by poems
under threats and that they are base
less.
Jenkins was detained at the peni-
tentiary for two hours after his arrest.
He then was released without bail and
is now restricted to his own home.
First news of the arrest OF the con-
sular agent was sent to the state de-
partment yesterday by the American
embassy.
Order Embassy to Get Busy.
The department Immediately tele-
graphed urgent instructions to the
embassy to take the matter up with
the Mexican foreign office with a
view to securing the release of
was based on a telegram from the
consular agents. The embassy also re-
ported that in a signed statement pub
lished in the Mexico City press. the
prosecuting attorney of Pueblo
charged that Jenkins was guilty of
criminal responsibility and of giving
false evidence and that he had been
transferred to his home to avoid re-
currence of his illness which followed
his capture by the bandits.
Further information regarding the
charges against Mr.. Jenkins has been
asked for by the state department and
pending its report officials would not
indicate what action the government
would take.
Mexico. City, Nov. 17.-Dispatches
from PuebIa today assert that William
o. Jenkins, American consular agent
at PHebla, altho technically under ar
rest. charged with false statements in
connection with his recent abduction
by the bandit leader, Federico Cor
dova, by order of the states attorney.
is given freedom of the entire city with
no bail required, the officers accepting
his word he villa not leave Puebla until
court proceedings are completed.
Jenkins, following his arrest. re-
quested to be lodged. in Jail until the
matter was finally settled, but the Of
ficers refused. 1t is expected pre-
liminary hearing will take place Mon
day.
Held Poems Incommunicado.
Mexico City newspapers state that
following the announcement by Judge
Franco of Puebla, who declared Off
cially after investigation that Jenkins
had been actually kidnapped and forced
to pay a ransom, Jenkins's hacienda,
the scene of the kidnapping. was Wis
tied by police officials under instruc-
tions from authorities of the state of
Puebla, and eighteen poems were ar
rested. The secretary of the state of
Puebla expressed the belief the arti-
Gle said, that at this place there might
be found indications which might
throw some light on the theory which
the authorities continue to maintain
that it is a case of "auto-kidnaping."
The poems were held incommunicado
until their statemo-+s had been OBJ
tanned, the papers said. adding that in
the search of the Jenkins ranch no
document were found tending to in
cririnafa him