The Washington herald., 1914-03-01

received Friday night demanding to know
what would be done by the Federal
government in the Vergara case, Acting
Secretary Moore yesterday referred the
governor Of Texas to the State Depart
ment's telegram of February %, in which
it was stated that ANY action in send
ing troops across the Mexican border
would involve responsibility by this gov
eminent, whether the troops are con-
nected with the regular army or are
State militia or constabulary."
This is taken to mean that Texas will
be held responsible for any intervention
ii may make on account Of Nergara's S
death. The President will not counten-
ance any firing across the border, il is
asserted here. and Gov. Colquitt will be
severely rebuked il he orders any such
action.
Charge O'Shaughnessy yesterday noti-
fed the State Department that he has
taken up the execution of Vergara with
the Huerta government and that he eN-
poets detailed report in the near future.
Administration officials still are awaiting
advices from American consular officers
regarding Vergara's death at Hidalgo and
will take no action until both these and
the reports from the Mexican govern
ment are transmitted here.
Meantime, at the State Department
yesterday. preparations went forward
for the dispatch of a commission to Chi
huahua to view the body of Benton,
which, Villa says, is inferred in the
most honored cemetery in the State of
Chihuahua
1t was decided that the American
representatives on the commission shall
be selected by the United States customs
collector and district attorney at Ell Paso.
Neither Consul Edwards nor Consul
Carothers will be appointed to this duty.
Likewise, il became known, Charles
Perceval the British consul. who is in
vestigating the Benton death at Juarez
will not go to Chihuahua with the COM
mission, but instead will appoint two
men to act as representatives of the
British government 1t has been ar
ranged that Gen. Bliss, commanding at
San Antonio, will have two army med
ical officers assigned to go with the
commission. not as members but as med
ical experts.
Whether the positive evidence received
in Washington yesterday as to the cir
cumstances of Benton's death will
| cause the British government to with
draw its decision to send two repre-
sentatives to Chihuahua has not yet
been made known Inasmuch as the
British insist on considering the trip to
Chihuahua entirely a matter with the
United States, and not anything with
which it has to do, IL is believed the
present plan will be adhered to- 1t is not
expected in any event the commission
will be able to start for Chihuahua before
tomorrow, in view of the vagueness of
Villas arrangements for transportation
and safe conduct for the party.
CONFIRMS Informal Advfces.
The new evidence really confirms more
Informal ,dvi,as r.o.;,,o5
the British Embassy. There the view
has been for several days that Benton
was murdered, and no consideration was
given the record of the alleged court
martial handed to Ambassador Spring.
Rice by Secretary Bryan two days ago.
According to the positive information
received yesterday, Benton not only in
formed friends of his purpose in going
to Juarez to see Villa about the depre-
dations rebels had committed on his
ranch, but -howed them he was going
unarmed. Arriving at Villas headquar-
ters in Juarez, and having sent in a re-
quest to see Villa, he was kept cooling
his heels outside for more than two
hours.
When admitted, he took up his case
with the rebel commander. There Is
good reason to believe that Villa has
toiu tne lrutn Wnen ne sdlu tndt benton
became angry during his talk with the
general. and that hot words passed be-
tween the two. According to the now
accepted account, this ended in Benton
being shot through the stomach, and
falling to the floor. villa, himself, has
admitted that 20 check Benton he thrust
his revolver into the Britisher's stomach.
/. is now established that the man was
first shot through the stomach.
Great confusion ensued on Benfon's he