New-York tribune., 1920-01-31
Mexico Strikes
At Witnesses
In L. S. Inquiry
Revokes Permits to Enter
That Country Held by
Brownsville Men Who
Told of Border Crimes
DIR. Taylor Tells Story
Secretary of Methodist Board
of Foreign Missions Held
for Ransom by Soldiers

BROWNSVILLE, Tex, Jan. 3o.-Sey-
ersl prominent Brownsville citizens
who testified before the Senate sub
committee investigating Mexican con-
dltlons have been informed that their
permits to enter Mexico have been re-
yoked. it was learned day Mexican
Vice-Consul r. G. Dominquez declare d
ne was acting on instructions from
Mexico City.
The Mexican Consulate here ex-
planned later that in the interest Of
good relations on the border there was
no inclination to hold strictly to tie
letter the order from Mexico City in
50 far as it affected Americans.
Several American officials who testi-
fed before the Senate subcommittee
have visited Matamoros since testify
ing and no effort was made to prevent
heir free passage.
Tells of Cantnre by Mexfcans
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3O.-Dr. James
NJ. Taylor, of New York, secretary of
the Board Of Foreign Missions of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, related fer
the first time to-day the story of his
capture by Mexican soldiers, to whom
his friends paid 5000 in gold for his re-
lease. While on a business trip in the
vicinity of Tampico some months ago.
Dr. Taylor tod special examiner of
the Senate Foreign Relations sub COM
mittee that he was held up by q soldier
after he had taken a picture of some oil
properties.
"The soldier rushed up to ire and
placing revolver at my breast ordered
mo to give him the finn" DR.. Taylor
sald. Later about fifteen soldiers ap-
peared and | was ordered to surrend r
my camera and appear before the gem
eral IN charge Of thercabouts After a
few words the general withdrew to an
other room and sent word to ME that I
could not be released until 7 had paid
$500 in gold. There was no trial. no
formal charges preferred. and the fine
was finally reduced to $500 and paid"
DR.. Taylor characterized as utterly
ridiculous charges that w. 0. jenkins
the American consular agent at Pueba
was implicated with the bandits who
kidnapped him.
Defends Consular Agent Jenkins
II was q guest at the home Of Mr.
jenkins UP to few days before his
capture" the witness said. land
found he was highly regarded by the
MexIcans. His interest in the Mexi-
can people WAS very great and he aid ID
- Ni.' IA SHSty NdS Z GIVING tiicN! NCS
pital to care for their sick"
DR.. Tailor added chat Jenkins WIS
never removed more than fifteen mills
from Pucbla by the bandits and sad
there had been many reports that ii c
bandits could have been captured.
Withdrawal of American businagu
concerns from Mexico, the witness
said, would cause famine in ninety
days, as the Americans had helped tn
source of livelihood.
Francis W. Blackford, a Columbus.
Ohio civil engineer, testified thai hc
vas forced 10 forfeit mining propertic-
in Mexico because the Carranza goq.
ernment had ordered that they he
norated and that the risk was toe
dangerous. The attitude Of the Unite /
States in dealing with Mexico "was Tho /
laughing stock Of the diplomats Of
the world" he said. adding that the
pc opic Of atin-America thought this /
country was afraid Of Carranza.