New-York tribune., 1920-01-06
I
Jenkins Kid1,aper Says
Plot Included Abduct-
ING Summerlin, British
and Spanish Consuls
Wanted to Prove
Carranza Helpless
Thinks American Senate
VIII Force Repayment
, Of Ransom He Collected
By Wilbur Forrest


SAN ANTONIO, Tex, Jan g.
| That all plans were formed and ef-
hs.s made by Mexican rebels to kid
rs George T. Summerlin, American
Charge dAffsires at Mexico City,
kore Consular Agent W.. 0. Jen-
HIS was abducted at Puebla was
As disclosure made by Federico Cor
dcys, the rebel leader who kidnapped
jenkins, in an interview with the
Tribune correspondent in Mexico
CITY on the night Of December %.
I'VE not only planned to abduct
Summerlin from under the noses of
Tie Carranza government in Mexico
City ITSELF" Cordova admitted, "but
Ne planned to take Agent Jenkins,
We British Consul and the Spanish
Consul from .Puebla, the second
largest city of Mexico, and the
American Consul at Guadalajara, the
third largest city of Mexico. In this
manner we hoped to prove to the
world the incompetency Of the pres
at so-called government to afford
Eaaranties to foreigners in Mexico .
admission of Plot
Cordova's statement came more in
the form Of an admission that the
plot existed than as voluntary
statement. Before l went to inter
visw the rebel chief in the deserted
house in Mexico City I was able to
ascertain a brief outline of the plot
frym other sources, and the inter-
view with Cordova served to confirm
ihe facts.
For ten days previous to the abduc-
ion OF Jenkins at Puebla a rebel lieu
hnant named Constantin Reyes with
TX men remained in Mexico City with
emmerlin's abduction in view. Through
.k vigilance of the Americans who
slseovered the plot-not Mexican au-
acrities-Summerlin was warned and
ae ABDUCTION was prevented. After
tnkins was abducted from Puebla
seJes returned to the hills with his
asn, and Summerlin was able to 90
'sert with some safety. The British
hd Spanish consuls escaped the fate
9snkins because, fortunately, they
ssse absent from Puebla, and the
AAefiean Consul at Guadalajara was
taken because the rebel plans mis-
sfiled in that city.
AEer we had talked some minutes
psn the Jenkins case, asked Cor
~ whether the abduction of Jenkins
- ses not part Of an organized plan to
@% @% Summerlin and the other con-
1ss did you know thats" he asked,
nsing from the chair in which
~ iac,ng me at small table. |
susmed that the information came
Sx.f sources which I was unable to
..ss'ose but not from the Carranza
f'nment. This seemed to reassure
shd he admitted the truth of the
rfI pat added: eve could have car
va other people, but we did not
eaase international difficulties.
a.xiy =. eniy object vas to demonstrate the
.e'ty OF the Carranza govern
80 ne declined to make the cate
ssi ;omisaion that the plan to take
hIA
ksn existed. "
- to Involve Rulers Deeper
ssaosas attention was called to an
Tshsx With Prosecuting Attorney
S; Ss;s Of Puebla. appearing in 1.-THE
hspnblican" on December 20,
Ess.aa Esa Mitchell, who, despite his An
ssa name, Is q Mexican, in trying
"a wssynnsies nn.es Jenkins, charged Jenkins
h,rxp ps'nS sef-abducted and guilty Of
sIImss against the government.
s,1evs ~ a said: "i've read it. and.
~ ~. = - false in every particular, I
& 10Y ssey VIII keep right on lying and
M. possible 70 involve them
s eesper in the mess. They are
~, = esspiy already that they will
sill a. tpfieate themaclyes, and they
H. ~ ~ deeper" fcoxdova's predic~
IA. !nsesdsd by two days the formal
&. sssNns Of the Mexican Minister OF
~ ssSss1or. charging that Jenkins had
s .aLpieariy abducted" This served
M 6t.'ye I. q the Mexican government It.
ss"s' !" we enbroglio for the arst time.
3aIs..s previously the prosecution Of
ss,ss ss nsd been carried on by the
s = ths State Of Puebla, backed
zxvnsr Cabrera, brother Of Luis
hrasss the Mexican Minister Of
Shows Brihe Letter
a thea volunteered "a show
Aarr. asssser assser which he had received
M ~ ~ Esty90o peses IL he would tes-
u - nss as 1sDklns. He added that
- un&wzys from what sn,,res ~"
~ sahaaated became !. va ~ vr'
III ~ ne tad every reason 10 he
S46r n - = esshs from either the Goy~
Me1s spe bfate of Pueblo Or Others
aIis~sx nnoing jenkins yuiltv.
ea9ks< I Snat ~ had niso been ap~
~ -. ~ ~ individual Offering ske
- ss ana that he had reason Il,
- tast that Individual csro@ "In d',ae, ~
m 2se,h stat1 authorities.
111y snJ q tiaNS Was 10 accept the
1~f - Mfn 70 tell them 10 uo IA
i6nor. L ~. But | decided later
L-.e sasse oHsfs' Eordoza egae;.
!. - 81 !.
s'sss'ssfsd on 1a0e eteveu4