Norwich bulletin., 1914-02-25

Washington, Feb. 24.-Just what General Villa proposed to do about the request of the United States gov ernment that he deliver up the body of William s. Benton, the British sub- ject executed by Villa at Juarez, ap- parently was an open question late tonight Early in the evening Secre- tary Bryan had accepted a message from the coDstitutionalist chief to Consular Agent Carothers at Juarez as a promise that the body would be turn ed over to American authorities as soon as the matter could be arranged. This message was translated to read that the body would be delivered but not at this time.''
 Relatives May See Body.
 Just before midnight state depart ment officials made public this an nouncement
 American consul Chihuahua re- ports that Villa declines to deliver Bentons body, but will permit widow or relatives to visit the cemetery with American representatives that for their benefit he will order elimination of body which then will be re-interred in grave from which it is removed
 General Villa is now at Chihuahua and it is supposed that Consul Letcher has been in personal communication with him. The consul will be asked for further details of the reply to- morrow.
 Physicians to Examine Body.
 From the character of the wounds discovered on Benton's body pnysi- clans will be able to say whether Ben- ton was killed by 8 pistol shot as as Villa asserts. It is generally ad- mitted in official circles that such an examination will be of great value in either affirming or disproving an important point in tho general explan- alton of the affair made by Villa
 American Hanged by Federals.
 Developments were many in the sit uation that has~arisen out of the kill ing of Benton. Secretary Bryan asked the American consular representative at Nogales to confer with General Car ranza about the affair. The secretary talked with Acting Chairman Shively of the senate foreign relations coni- mittee and then at length with Pres ident Wilson. The incident was fully discussed at cabinet meeting. Sir Cecil Spring Rice, the British ambaS- sador, later called on Secretary Bryan and arranged for the visit of British Consul Perceyai to Fl Paso to sup plement the American inquiry though not to interfere with 1t. The secre- tary then conferred again tonight with the president at the White House.
 News of the hanging of Cleinento Vergara, an American citizen, by Mex ican federals near Neuvo Laredo, Mex leo, directed attention to the Huerts government on the subject of proteo- ton to foreigners. Representations in behalf of Vergara had been made by the state department some time ago, but no information about his where abouts or the reported execution had been received here tonight.
 4 Far-Rsachins Inquiry.
 Cabinet officers indicated clearly thas official judgment of the Benton incl dent would not be nasty and that the American government was carefully occupied just now in gathering the facts. Details of the character of the American investigation were not of flcially known here until the publica- ton of despatches from London today giving the text of Secretary Bryan's message to the British ambassador, The fact that the United States had instructed its consuls to have the body pioy legal assistance and examine wit nesses indicated the far reaching na- lure of ths inquiry.
 Tn addition to this Secretary Bryan announced that communication had been telegraphed for presentation to A1SuSLAL S@dLi 3tlHU Dy eEI AIIlSI1CdI GOu- sul. asking the constitutionalist com mander-in chief for more information about the Benton incident. The sec retary denied that this took the form of any general representations about foreigners, saying 1t was confined en- tirely to the Benton incident.
 Recognition Of carrenxa's Jurisdiction
 Tn some quarters the sending of 9 communication to Carrauze. about Villas act was regarded as involving 2 technical recognition of Carranza's E Jurisdiction over Villa, but Secretary Bryan tonight stated positively thai he regarded today's message as sim liar to others which previously have been presented by American consu1s to Csrranza and the de facto authori- ties in Mexico. Dealings with the de facto officers In the north, MT. Bryar regards as no different from the in formal relations at Mexico City with the unrecognized Huerta government
 Upon the receipt of information from Carranza and the progress of the inquiries at Juarez both the American Paso, the development of the next few days seem to hinge.
 Praise from ErgeIsh Ambassador.
 That the interest which the Ameri- can government is taking in the Ben ton episode Is pleasing to Great Brltair was indicated after the British am bassador had conferred with Secretary Bryan. Sir Cecil Spring Rice said:
 The United States is treating the Benton case exactly as though he hae been one of their own citiEens-they could not do more.n
 Consul Letcher reported today hia inability to locate Gustav Bauch ir Chihuahua, although General Villa had been quoted as saying. that Bauch was transferred from Juarez to Chihuahua jail. No news has been received con- cerning the whereabouts of Harry Compton and the rancliman Curtis where whereabouts also Is in 1oubt.
 Secretary Bryan today intifnated thst he had heen ecnsiasring tiln pos