The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-02-24
MExICANS ATTACK
U. S. CAvALRYMEH
American Soldiers Shoot One of
Attacking Party, But Suffer
No Loss Themselves.
VILLAS ACT STIRS BORDER
Consul Edwards Reports Benton Was
Executed After a Regular Court
Martial Trial-American Miss
ING From His Cell.

IHS FTOfn SCIs
Ell Paso, Tex, Feb. 23-Under cover
of darkness a body of MeXicans at
tackled the camp of Troop M of the
Thirteenth United States cavalry,
but was driven away when Cor
poral Jenson. who was on guard duty,
called his comrades to arms. One of
the MexicanS was shot, but none of
the American soldiers was wounded.
There was a feeling of sharp ten
sion here as a result of the attack
on the cavalry camp. and the execu-
ton of William S. Benton, wealthy
British subject, by General Villa. The
dislike that Americans of the border
towns always have felt for Mexicans
has been turned to open hatred here
by the developments of the last "a
hours. The city authorities fear that
race riots will break out at any mo-
ment.
grant permission for open air mass
meetings to De addressed by ex-Gov-
ernor George Curry of New Mexico,
who was appointed by FL Paso citi-
zens to investigate the death of Ben
ton.
Fate of American a Mystery.
There is much conjecture as to the
fate of Gustav Bauch, an American ac
cused by the rebels at Juarez as being
spy, and of two Englishmen lost" in
Juarez.
Bauch disappeared from his cell
This was discovered by relatives, who
reported the fact to Thomas D. Ed
They had gone to take bedding and
food to him. He is believed to have
been shot
OF the Englishmen, one is said to be
a ranches named Curtis, from New
Mexico, and the other Johnt Lawrence
chief engineer of the California De
velcpment company at Yuma, Cal.
Samuel Stewart, known also as
Thompson. an English soldier of for
tune, reported their disappearance
he said that they went to Juarez
Wednesday to aid in the search fo1
Benton, schoolmate of Lawrence
and were seen no more by him or
other friends.
Villa Refused to Add Details.
City of Chihuahua, Mexico. Feb. %
General Villa refused to add any de
0 his story of the execution OF
William S. Benton as given to United
S ates Consul T. D. Edwards at
Jaurez, Immediately upon his arrival
here he busted himself with prepare,
tcns for the attack on Torreon...
Villas train brought a large ship
ment of ammunition, and this was sent
to the front
4 shall not return to the border un
til Torreon has fallen" said the rebel
commander. 'As soon as my artil
lery is in readiness the attack will be
opened"
U. S. Will Take No Action.
Washington, Feb. 23.-No action
will be taken by the United States as
the result of the execution of William
S. Benton, a British subject by the
rebel General Villa. This was an
nounced by Secretary of State Bryan
following the receipt of a lengthy dis
patch from Consul Edwards at Juarez
tC the effect that Benton was shot aft
er formal court-martial
Edwards report to the state depart
mert came as the result of reques;
from Secretary Bryan. Secretary
Bryan's telegram to Edwards followed
personal request from the British
ambassador, Spring Rice, for the first
hand information concerning the fate
of the Englishman.
The text of the Edwards report was
not made public. Secretary Bryan
merely said:
Benton Shot After court-MartiaI.
I'VE have received word from Con
sui Edwards that Benton was executed
after formal court-martial
The secretary added that he con
sidered that this was sufficient to dis
pose of the matter, and indicated that
the United States will not take any
further steps,
Consul Edwards, he said. had al
the proceedings of the court-martial
end was transmitting them to the
state department by mail
While the state department declined
TO make direct expression in the
matter, it was indicated that it ex
pected Great Britain to lodge formal
complaint with this government and
to demand a further investigation.
All the official information that has
come to the state department and the
White House is to the effect that Ben
ton was armed when he entered Villas
camp. The impression was conveyed
that General Villa was justified in hold
ing court-martial because of the al
legged threats made by the English