The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1914-02-26
Every Influence at Disposal OF
State Department being
Brought to Bear on Bandit
Leader.
CARRANZA CALLED
UP0N TO MAKE GOOD
COnstitutionalist Leaders Fu-
ture Status with this Gov
ernment Depends on His
Ability to Control Villa.
ln, la.nsca WAC % .rre,,lnr ,lcrn,a

liiy LEASED Wire 10 .rreuinE ticrasd.
Washington, Feb. 20 The Ameri.
can government today wus cxerfing
every influence al It's disposal to OBJ
tnin from 9Cuoral 4illa the surrender
of the body OF William $. Benton. the
British subject recently executed at
JuareA No reply had been received
10 the Instructions sent To Consul
LctchCr yesterday 10 find Benton =
gTaNc. and Secretary Bryan WIS sur
priscd by news dispatches quoting
Villa as saying Benton WIS buried IN
Chihuahua City There have been
persistent reports here. too. that the
body was crematcd.
Secretary Bryan conferred with
President Wilson today nnd said
nothing new la tho situation had de-
yeloped Ofnciai dental came from
fAe White House Of one published re-
port that Rear Admiral Fletcher had
recommended the landing Of marines
at Vera Cruz.
Attention was centered or the Ben-
ton investigation and high officials
conceded that future development OF
the American policy toward Mexico
hinged largely on tho outcome Of the
inquiry.
Now lp tO turruufa.
Another feature OF the situation.
which doomed up ~ OF commanding
importance. was the fart that the
Benton Incident promises To develop
into test OF Carranza's authority
and influence a. ohier OF the consti-
tutionalsst movement. Every sort of
pressure, Il is understood. Is being
brought 20 bear on Curranza, both by
Americans and Mexicans who havv
the confidence OF Washington offi-
cials, with the purpose OF impressing
him with the necessity OF clear and
convincing explanation OF All the cir
cumsinnces surrounding the death of
Benton.
n Carrnnza cannot obtain that from
villa. the power - the so-calied ''lirst
chief of the constitutionaiiEis' will
fan IN the estimation OF the WASH
ington government
Officials here have for some time
been disposed TO feel kindly toward
carranza and favorable reports on his
character were transmitted 10 PTcsl-
dent Wilson hy William Bayard Hale.
should lt develop. however, that Car
ranza h without contrOi over Villa.
Il II more than proba bic that relations
y
ciais as of less importance hereafter
Persons In position "a know the
viewpoint of the president and his
cabinet officers say the disposition Of
the administration IL to insist On the
facts Of the benton episode and pos
session of the body for medical cx-
animation. but that There is nothing
yet 60 indicate critical stage
a.
drew attention OF the officials. 10 the
effect that the American embassy la
Mexico city had been equipped with
machine guns. WIS denied Tho only
arms there, Il was said. are several
rifles. imported Just before the street
fighting that ended In Madero's
downfall.
The president has not been in
formed just Why Great Britain and
Germany have sent their marines TO
Mexico city.
II was az the result of the dispatch
OF marines hy Great britain and Ger
many that the Washington eoverns
mcnt asked both Charge O'Shaush-
messy and Hear Admiral Fletcher Tor
their opinionH about the landing Of
marines. President Wilson disposed
OF number ~ reports about pos
eihlc change In policy Of the govern
ment by stating positively that no
change had been decided on. lie said
with reference 20 reports that Amerl-
can troops might be sent into Mexico
Co recover Bonton's body. that such a
step was not being considered. as h
would be, IN effect, an net OF war.
No additional lnIormation was az
hand concerning Wilma attitude On
the surrender oi ilentnn body. No
answer had been received from Car
fonza or villa concerning the latest
messages from Washington asking
that an American army surgeon be
permitted 10 examine tho body.
President Wilson did not indicate