The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-22
Secretary Orders Far
Reaching Investiga-
ton of Killing.
NO OPINION UNTIL
ALL FACTS KNOWN
Determination of Proper Course
Towards Villa Will Be Left by
Great Britain Entirely With
State Department-Situ-
alton Cause of Grave
Discussion in Senate.

Washington. February 21.-Secre-
tary Bryan has ordered a far-reach-
Ing investigation of the killing OF
William S. Benton. the British sub
ject, at Juarez. He announced to-day
that. until all facts in tho case had
been gathered from all available
sources no opinion would be expressed
by the State Department. All in
formation received Will be transmitted.
to the British government
Explanations made by General Villa
TO Thomas D. Edwards and George C.
Carothers. the American consular rep
| resentative at Juarez. together with
the court-martial record, are to be
supplemented by further Information.
Instructions went foPh to American
Consul Letoher. at Chihuahua, to get
additional details from Villa, and it is
understood that inquiry through indie
| pendent sources will be carried on ct
| Juarez.
Mr.. Carothers is consular agent at
| Torreon. temporarily assisting Mr.. Ed
wards.
Advices received by the State De-
partment up to late to-day. giving
| Villas version of the affair. were that
Benton was armed. had personally
| quarreled with Villa, had been disarm-
| cd. tried by court martial and execut-
| ed on the charge OF attempting the
| life of Villa
Omcfuls Make No Comment.
Villas explanation, as photographed
| by him to-day to the Consttutionalist
| agency here. was unofficially exhibit
! cd TO State Department officials and,
| though read with interest brought no
comment Army officers took particu-
| lar Interest In the reference to Ben
ton as an armed prowler," and as
such, not entitled to the protection OF
the rules of war. The armed prowl-
/ nI' ~ .nrtl, had L.,
American army is essentially guer-
rilla- they explained. and one who is
! caught within military lines with
arms. either engaged In the wanton
destruction OF property OF as part of
an invading force. 1t generally was
admitted that IL Benton had made a
murderous assault on Villa with a
weapon. he might have been subject
to the death penalty. but on that point
evidence Is wanting, and army officers
are reserving Judgment
ohiess there are other instructions
from the Foreign Office the British en-
bassy here Will make no further NOV.
pending the outcome of the investiea.
ton which the State Department has
undertaken. 1t is understood that AM
bassador Springfield has emphasized
the unofficial character Of tho repre-
s ss nc has made to the State
! department thus far on the ground
| mat tho British government claimed no
| legal obligation on the part OF tho
United States to look after the well
| rare OF British subjects in Mexico. The
action of tho State Department. direct
ing consuls to extend to British In Mex
leo the same degree OF protection as ia
| given TO Americans has been regarded
as IN act of courtesy. for which the
| Brltish government was duly grateful
FOR this reason, 1t Is said, there Is no
OASIS for the expectation that any de-
mand will be made on the United
States government to obtain PREPARATION
for the killing of Benton, and determi-
nation OF the proper course to be pur-
sued towards villa consequently la to
| be left entirely to State Department OF.
| ficials.
Feeling of Apprehension.
One result OF the BENTON incident has
been to create feeling OF apprehen-
| sion In diplomatic circles as to tho
safety of the foreign element In Mex
leo So far. resident diplomats have
| rested content in the belief that the
undertaking by the American State De-
pnrtment to look after tho welfare OF
their people In Mexico would be suffl
| cient to insure protection guaranteed
| by the rules of civilized warfare.
Closely following the news OF tho
killing OF Benton under conditions
which European diplomats are inclined
| to regard as violative Of such rules
has come q report OF the killing OF two
Spanish subjects In Mexico. The Span
ish government. through It's embassy,
here requested information from the
state Department. and so far this has
| not been available. Consequently,
there has been discussion among diplo-
mats of recommending a general with
drawal OF Europeans from the disturb
| ed country.
The seriousness of tho Mexican situ-
alton generally and particularly tho
execution OF Benton. furnished the
Senate subject of grave discussion.
Members OF the Foreign Relations
Committee gave assurances that they
were In close touch with affairs as di-
rected by the President and State De-
partment. Official attention was called
to the Benton case In n telegram to
Senator Fall, of New Mexico. from II. =
M. Dudley. who declared Villa had
murdered Benton like dog" and that
the American policy OF "watchful watt
ing is a failure" Senator Fall also
read to the Senate resolutions of pro-
test adopted last night at mass
meeting In Ell Paso, Texas He urged
a more aggressive policy, and othor
Senator'S sided with him.
senate Takes No Action.
| The Senate took no action. Members
of the Foreign Relations COMMITTEES
urged that the executive and State De-
| partments be not embarrassed In eff
| forts to protect foreigners in the revo- #
lution-torn republic. a.
| Despite efforts of leaders to keep
the lid on Mexican affairs 30 far as
| tho Senate is concerned, there ts q 3
| growing feeling OF .uneasineHs. ana
fears were expressed tonight that s
| somo Senators would be restraiHod no
| longer form discussing tho situation
| on the floor of the open Senate. To
avert this is one of the tsska confrpnty
. f G ~. d y 4 o. y