The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1914-02-22
BRYAN ORDERS A
as. RIGID INQUIRY
Villa Claims Justifica-
ton for His Act and
Cites Alleged Prece-
dents;. Senators Reach
Boiling Point and the
Situation May Be Dis
cussed Soon.

WASHINGTON. Feb 2l.-Secretary
Bryan has ordered q far-reaching In.
yestigatioa OF the killing of William
5. Benton, the British subject, at Jua.
rez. He announced today that until
all the facts in the case had been gath.
cred from all available sources no opin.
ion would be expressed by the state
department, All information received
will be transmitted to the British gov.
ernment.
Explanations made by General Villa
to Thomas ID. Edwards and George G.
Caruthers, the American consular rep
resentatives at Juarez, together with
the court-martlal record are TO be sup
plemented by further information, ln-
structions went forth 10 American Con-
and it is understood that inquiry
through independent sources will be
carried on at JuareZ. Mr.. Carothers is
consular agent at Torreon, temporarily
assisting Mr., Edwards.
Villas Version.
Advices received by the state depart
ment up to late today, giving Villa IS
version of the affair, were that Benton
was armed, had personally quareled
with Villa, had been disarmed, tried by
court martial and executed on the
charge of attempting the life of Villa.
Villas explanation. as telegraphed b.
him today 10 the consdtutionalst agency
here, was unofricially exhibited TO state
department officials and, though read
with interest. brought no comment.
Army officers took particular interest IN
the reference to Benton as IN armed
prowler' and as such not entitled to tho
protection OF the rules of war. An
armed prowler, described In Order 100"
of the American army. Is essentially a
guerrilla, they explained, and one who
is caught within military lines with arms
either engaged in the wanton destruo-
ton of property or as part OF an invad-
Ing force. II was admitted generally that
II Benton made murderous assault
upon villa with weapon he might have
been subject to the death penalty; but
on that point evidence Is wanting, and
army officers are reservins Judgment,
British Position.
Unless there arc other instructions
from the foreign office the British em-
x..ill En m
in this matter. pending the outcome OF
the investigation which the state depart
ment has undertaken.
II is understood that ambassador
Spring-R Rice has smphasized tne ,. un
no has made TO the state department.
thus far on the ground that the British
government claimed no legal oolisatfon
on tho part OF the United States to look
Mexico. The action OF the state depart
ment directing consuls to extend TO
British subjects IN Mexico the same de-
gree Of protection as is given TO Amcri-
cans has been regarded as an act OF
courtesy for which the British govern
ment was duly grateful.
For this reason. IL Is said there Is no
basis for the expectation that any de-
nand any request will be made upon
the United States government to secure
Of the proper course TO be
nursued toward Villa is consequently 20
be left entirely to state department Of
fioials.
Some Apprehension.
One result Of the Benton incident has
been to create a feeling OF apprehension
in the diplomatic circle In Washington
ffYontJnueA nm Paca TwoN