The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1914-02-23
INTERVIEW
BY BRITAIN
UNLIKELY
Futile and Impolitic to Take
Mexican Situation Into Own
Hands, Attitude Of Foreign
Office.
lny I.cascd VIC 70 EycnIne mcrnId. ]

lBy Leased Wire 10 Evening Herald.
London. Feb. 23-rho putting 20
death ef william Benton. British
subject. hy General Francisco villa.
Mexican rebel leader at Juaroa, has
aroused the British parliament and
people to "a Keen apprehension Of tho
British interests involved in the Mex
lean situation.
The killing Of Benton was tho prin-
cipal subject for discussion in the
house of commons this afternoon. 4
fun house listened with intense inter-
est TO the explanation given by Sir
Edward Grey foreign minister, and
Sir Francis Dyke Aclnnd. parliamen-
tary under secretary for foreign Rf-
fairs. They spoke OF the British gov
crnmcnts attitude and discussed their
communications with Washington
FILncis Dyke Acland replied with
an emphatic certainly when asked
II the British government wus pre-
pared TO cooperate heartily with the
United states government in this mat
ter Mr.. Acland also expressed the
hope that the proposal OF the United
states would prove generally accept
able TO the otncf powers
Mir Acand emphasized the undc-
STABILITY of publishing anything al
present which might tend To Increase
the chances of danger 10 British prop
crty az the hands of the conicnding
parties In Mexico.
A significant cheer was given by the
members Of tho house when Sir Ed
ward Grey said that Sir CECIL SPRING
Rice, the British ambassador at
Washington. had told Secretary OF
state Bryan thGt public opinion Ia
Europe was likely To be seriously ar
fectcd boy General Villas actions.
SIR Edward Grey explained fully
that Great Britain did not hold the
United States responsible for Villas
acts but he said the British govern
mcnt was poWerlcss 10 take any meas
urcs ip the disturbed regions Several
members questioned the secretary for
foreign affairs To make sure that the
government was taking all possible
steps 60 learn the facts OF the Benton
ease
Walter Hines Page. the American
Ambassador. expressed his personal
regret at the killing OF Benton in an
informal talk today with sir Edward
GREY. Newspapers throughout the
British Isles today gave prominent
place to Information and comment on
/ the killing of Benton. the general
tenor of remarks being that the eN-
ccution was plain murder
The pacificatiun OF Mexico Is an
object We honestly desire To see ac-
complished, bat II IL impossible To Of
feet Il by British Intervention. We
do not intend to make any attempt
OF that character. which would be-
both futile and impoliilc"
This ls the attitude of the British
7 foreign Office as outiiucd today In the
house uf commons hy Francis Dyke
Aciand. lie promised Ia lay the pa
pers on the subject of Mexico before
the house OF commons as soCn as pos
sible but hr added significantly.
The most Interesting papers az the
British foreign office however. are
communications made az various
; times with the government of the
/ United states concerning its policy
and It's viewing of facts. some of
these arr of confidential character
and / cannot include them in a blue
book without asking the consent of
the United states government"
Sir Edward Grey snid.
Before this incident occurred the
I nitrd states government had. "a cur
request. impressed upon the leaders
OF the cunstitutionBllsi party in Mex
leo the necessity OF respecting the
. lives OF foreigners I should like 20
add that the fact of our communicate
/ ing with the government of the Unit
ed states daes not. of course. mply.
that Il has ary responsibility for what
has taken place.
Communication had been made
because the United states alone can
In those circumstances exercise any
Influence to discover the truth aud
get justice done
Sir John Rces asked whether Sir
Edward had any Information regard
Z ing other Europeans who are said 10
have disappeared in Mexico.
No. Sir Edward replied. ''but !
have already tciegraphod 10 ssr Cecil
sIrins- iiiec suggesting for his consid-
Grafton what steps 10 would he pos.
sibie TO take In this very disturbed
region Ia ascertain the Whereabouts of
these people,