MEXICO CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1919, Page 5

MEXICO CRISIS.

ATTITUDE OF THE SENATE. IHE PRESIDENT APPROACHED. Sf Tefograptt.—Press: Assn.—Copyrlflrt.. Received Dee. 5, 5.5 p.m. Washington, Dec. 4. Mr. Robert Lansing (Secretary for Btate) admitted that the State Department had not referred the Mexican situation to the President. The Senate appo' ited a Committee to interview President Wilson, and discuss, the proposed lseasureß.-Aus.-NX Cable Asm. QUICK ACTION UNLIKELY. POSSIBILITY OF A BLOCKADE. Received Dec. 5, 8.55 p.m. New York, Dec. 2. The Washington correspondent of the Times states that it is believed that, while the United States, in its Note to Mexico, has insisted that Mr. Jenkins must be released, it is doubtful whether the United States could act quickly in the event of Carjanza's refusal to coif plyPresident Wilson's health is expected to interfere with the prosecution of any measures against Mexico. It is pointed out that the United States may, if necessary, blockade Mexico.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ; Washington, Dec. 4. Senator Q. M. Hitchcock (Leader of the Democrats), in the Senate, introduced a motion authorising a breach of diplomatic relations with Mexico and enabling the President thenceforward to act at his discretion. The motion was iefer-ed to a committee. Senator King, in the Senate, intra-1 duced » motion empowering the Presi- j dent to use the army qnd navy to enforce the payment of Mexican claims, and damage to American citizens. Mr. R. Lansing (Secretary for State) is conferring with the Foreign Affairs Committee, it is understood, in reference to Senator Fall's proposal for breaking off diplomatic relations with Mexico, - HISTORY OF THE DISPUTE. ' In October three masked bandits captured Mr. William Jenkins, United , States Consul at Pueblo, Mexico, and held him for Tansom. An undertaking wae made by the Mexican Government that every endeavor would be made to secure the release of Mr. Jenkins, and subsequently the United States demanded that, if necessary, Mexico should pay the ransom. The ransom was duly paid, and the Consul was released; but it was not reported who had paid it. An official statement was made, however, that the ransom was not paid by the Mexican Government, and the State Department declined to demand that Mexico should be asked to reimburse those who had paid it. Replying to an American Note, the Mexican Government stated: "Mr. Jenkins signed contradictory declarations regarding his kidnapping, and the Mexican Court has enough evidence to support a charge of perjury .which would justify Mr. Jenkins* detention. This, however, is not meant to say that Mr. Jenkins is guilty. That could only be determined after a trial. No Government could make diplomatic representations for one of its citizens except m the case of miscarriage of justice. Neither in the United States nor in Mexico could a ettfteft on trial be released by order of the Executive. It would be strange if in Mexico an American citizen enjoyed more rights than in his own country." Subsequently the United States Governnient, in a new Note to Mexico, refused to discuss irrelevancies, and demanded 1 Mr. Jenkins' instant release on bail It did not, however, threaten, further action.