New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1914-02-25
.Resents Staying Of
bTitOn in Mexico.
WASHINGTON AROUSED
Britain Asks Powers to Take
Concerted Action Against
the Republic.

Washington. Feb. 2l.--Viewing the
execution of William S.. Benton. q
British subject, by General Villa as a
parallel to the blowing UP Of the
Maine, England already is communi-
eating with the powers. asking them
to take concerted action against Mex
leo.
While news Of this action ON the
part OF Great Britain comes from pri.
vate cables official Washington Is dis
turbed gravely by news of the.execu-
ton. :: -. ~......
The killing Of a British subject un-
der circumstances: such as, dispatches
from the border portray caused a stir
in diplomatic circles. Those familiar
with the aggressive attitude Great
Britain assumes in pressing demands
for reparation when her subjects have
been wronged freely predict startling
developments. s..
Administration officials are concern
ed greatly. President Wilson dis.
cussed the occurrence briefly with
the cabinet and ordered the state de-
Eartment to make a thorough investi-
cation. Sir Cecil Spring-Rice. the
British ambassador, and Secretary
Bryan held long conference. There
is every evidence that the British
ambassador and the state department
were advised too late of Bentons
impending fate to intercede for him.
American Warning Unheedsd.
1t is the first time since the present
revolution began q year ago that the
general warning from the United
States government to; Mexican fac.
tons to protect all foreigners went
unheeded.
Il haven't sufficient facts on which
to base an opinion" Secretary Bryan
said. Until have the department
will express no opinion. +
This was the official view Of the sit
uation. with messages passing back
and forth between the state depart
ment and Consul Edwards and his
temporary assistant, G. c. Carrothers,
consular representative at Torreon.
Discussion OF the case between the
ambassador and the secretary of state
developed clearly the absence of any
responsibility on the part of the Unit
ed States for the killing of the Brit
ish subject, even though investiga-
ton should prove it to have been un-
justiiable.
The United States, it was asserted,
simply acted as friend and exerted
every effort to save the mans life and
the fact that through it's consular of.
ficers the American government vir-
tually may have recognized the de
facto control Of Villa over certain
portion of Northern Mexico 1t was
held in no wise increased: Its liabil.
ity for the actions Of that individual
Intervention May Result.
Fear has been revived at Mexico
City, according to word from there,
that the Benton execution may result
in. the United, States being forced by
VIZ La ASAAA W l<lAS SOlAc dCt4Ou LUal
easily might become intervention
!: Although since" revolutionary 4condli.
tons assumed serious proportions
three years ago there have been killed
in various parts Of the country some
150n Americans, including participants
on both sides of the revolution, there
are on record the deaths of only four
Rritishers, including Benton. The
three others were killed in districts
where the chiefs of neither faction
had any direct authority and Benton's
is the first case where it appears that
cnlpability may be placed definitely.
Gossip has been current at Mexico
City for several days that certain OF
the European powers again are plan.
ming to urge the United States to as
sumo more active policy in restor,
ing peace in Mexico and many per,
sons expressed the belief that the
Benton incident might be seized upon
as an opportunity to impress such a
view upon the Washington govern
ment.