The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1919-11-26
MEXICO MUST Keep
HANDS Off JENKINS
Government Demands That Consular
Agent Be Released I'M
mcdiately
"STARTLING DISCLOSURES"
In Connection With kidnapping Case
Is Promised by Mexican Bandit.

sular agent at Puebla, who recently
was kidnapped by bandits, woul3 Csc
riously affect the relations between the
United States and Mexico, for which
the Government Of Mexico must as
sumo sole responsibility
Coupled with the warming was a de-
nand for the immediate release Of the
consular agent, who was rearrested
Tuesday morning on charges III con-
nection with his abduction and ransom
in the sum of $4,000 in gold. Official
reports that Jenkins had again been
imprisoned at Puehla reached State
Department today from the American
embassy at Mexico City, which was
instructed to transmit note demand
ing his release. !
Issues Statement.
The departments action was made
known in the following announce
mcnt:
"The Department OF State today
sent note to the Mexican foreign Of
flee, through the American embassy
at Mexico City, calling for the i'm
mediate release Of William o. Jenkins,
the American consular agent at Pueb-
la.
"Thc note, which is based on the re-
arrest of Consular Agent Jenkins at
Puebla, points out that the United
States Government is surprised and
incensed to learn of the reimprison-
mcnt Of Mr.. Jenkins, particularly in
view of the suffering and losses al
ready sustained by him in connection
with his kidnapping through lack of
. protection by the Mexican authorities
and in connection with his first arrest
by Mexican officials.
"The note expresses the view, based
on the information in the possession
of the State Department that his re-
arrest IS absolutely arbitrary and un-
warranted and warns the Mexican
Government that further molestation
Of the consular agent will seriously
affect the relations between the United
States and Mexico, for which t.,e Gov
crnmcnt Of Mexico must assume sole
responsibility"
Arrested Early This Month.
Jenkins was first arrested early
this month on the charge Of collusion
with the bandits who took him from
his home in Puebla on October 10,
but he was released after remaining
IN the pcnitcntlary two hours. He
was restricted to his home, however,
and Tuesday was rearrested or com
plalnt that he had threatened poems
who had given evidence on which the
State authorities acted in first taking
him into custody. SO far as the de-
partment has been advised he is still
held in custody and because Of his
weakened physical condition result
ing from the hardships endured dur
ing G week the bandits held him in
the mountains Of Puebla, State OIL
cials feared long imprisonment might
permanent yaffcct his health
Operates Cotton Mill
Before his arrest Jenkins, who op-
crates a large cotton mill at Pueba,
had planned to return TO his old home
in Tennessee and if necessary come TO
Washington to present his claims to
officials for assistance in paying Of
the obligations contracted in paying
of the fund paid 'hc bandits for his
release.
These plans Of thr crHzu!ar agent
were outlined in letter received from
Inn today by Representative Davis,
o. Tennessee. Writing under date of
November 4, Jenkins gave a graphic !,
description of his capture and expc-
rirncc with the bandits, who nc said,
= him that the principal object in
kidnapping him was "tn demonstrate
that the present government Of Mex
Io" was not able to give guarantees
G" forciGncrs), not even in the sec.
onI city OF the country"
Seek to Fix Responsibility
The consular agent said the State
authorities were seeking to "fx
certain responsibility in this matter on
me-" adding that he expected to be
arrested at any time.
jenkins said he was ovcrpowercd
in his own yard by five armed rebels
and told he would be killed if he re-
sisted.
81 was searched for any weapons"
h" said, "and had my hands tied to-
""thcr. an dthcn was forced to 90 to
the office, where The two safes were