Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-03-05
BRYAN ASKS BODY :
Of SLAIN AMERICAN
u. S. Starts Inquiry Into Hanging
of Texas RanChman.
VILLA IGNORES NEW PLEA
May, However, Allow Autopsy in Case
Of Benton, Whose Remains He
Enthusiastically Tells Senate
Body of Conditions.

Washington, Feb. 27.-Fear of an
European combination formed for the
purpose of restoring peace in Mexico
is responsible for the Importance at
tached by the administration to the
death OF William s. Benton, the Brit
ish subject, at the hands Of General
Villa, the Mexican constitutionalist
leader.
This fact was admitted by Secre-
tary Of State Bryan in his conference
with the senate foreign relations COM
mittee Wednesday, Mr.. Bryan recalled
TO the committee that the refusal of
Great Britain alone prevented such
combination some months ago. Will
ing to enter into this combination were
Germany, France, Spain, Austria and
other nations.
But it is feared that If the investi-
cation now in progress should prove
that Benton was murdered by Villa,
an outraged public opinion would force
the British ministry to make strong
representations to the United States
to obtain the punishment Of the Next
can leader. Refusal or failure Of the
United States to comply with these
representations might lead to a revival
Of the European combination, in which
Great Britain would join. There exists
consequently grave danger of foreign
complications growing out of the Ben
ton affair
Secretary Bryan made a new de-
mand for the body of a man executed
by Mexicans. This time, however, it
was for the body of Clemente Vergara,
an American citizen, who had been
hanged by Huerta's federal forces.
The secretary of state also made a
fresh demand on the rebel general,
Villa, for the body of William S. Ben
ton, British subject. but got no reply.
Another aspect that engaged atten-
ton was the sending to Mexico City of
the armed legation guards of foreign
nations. The possibility Of complica-
lions over the presence of these
guards in case of overt acts or disturb
consideration.
While the suggestion of sending a
guard for the American embassy was
rejected as unnecessary two weeks
ago it was discussed this time with
much more seriousness.
Mr.. Bryan ordered Consul Garrett,
stationed at Nuevo Laredo, to investi-
gate the hanging of Vergara and to
demand that the Huerta officers in the
vicinity of Hidalgo surrender the body
to him.
Mr.. BTyan's new request for the
body of Benton was transmitted to
Consul Letcher at Chihuahua. who
was told to insist to Villa that he de-
liver the body to the widow for burial
wherever she might wish.
Nuevo Laredo, Mex, Feb. 27.-As-
surances that the men responsible for
the execution of Clemente Vergara
will be punished were given to Consul
Garrett by Colonel Alvarez, COM
mander of the garrison, and a relative
of General Alvarez, federal commander
at Piedras Negras, whose order that
Vergara be released arrived after the
hanging. With J. Hill, Vergara' s
brother-in-law, the consul expects to
visit the scene of execution today.
City of Mexico Feb 27.-The Amer
lean charge daffaires, Nelson
O'Shaughnessy, is trying to obtain the
release of Inocencio Benavides, an
American citizen.