Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-02-25
RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY
INTRODUCED IN HOUSE
Asks President, if Compatible With
Public Interests, to Supply In
formation Regarding Situation.


and the revolution-torn republic. No
change of the American Mexican policy
was discussed, only facts being gone
into.
Representative Ainey of Pennsylvania,
republican. today introduced in the House
resolution directing the President, il
compatible with the public interest, to
transmit to the House all Information in
his hands regarding the treatment of
Americans and other foreigners in Mexico
and to inform the House what action has
been taken for the protection of Amer,-
cans in Mexico. 1t was referred to the
foreign affairs committee.
Republicans in the House are Planning
to attack the administration "watchful
waiting" Mexican policy tomorrow when
the army appropriation bill comes up for
discussion.
Benton's Body to Be Examined.
Gen. Villas proposal for an American
of the body of W. S. Benton,
the English ranchman he executed at
Juarez, without permitting its removal
from Mexico, has been accepted by this
without waving, however,
any further movement to demand it's de-
livery on American soil
British Consul Perceval. at Galveston,
was today ordered to proceed to Ell Paso
at once, where he Is expected to arrive
tomorrow, to go to the grave in Juarez
with delegation of Americans. Maj
Gen. Scott. commanding the. United
States troops there, viii detail an Ameri-
can army surgeon and any other officers
to accompany the British consul.
member of Benton's family will be
taken with the party.
Will Insist on Surrender.
That course has been decided upon
pen.ing the outcome of efforts to secure
the SUR -nder of the body to Benton's
family, which will not be ahated in the
least. An immediate examination. even
under limited conditions, has been decided
upon in order that decomposition, which
is very rapid in the Mexican climate, may
not obliterate the mute evidence of the
wounds.
Further complicated by dispatches tell
ing of official confirmation received by
Consul Garrett at Nuero Laredo of the
hanging by Huerta troops Of Clements
Vergana, an American. near Hidalgo,
the Mexican situation took on more ten
sity.
Refuses to Give Up Body.
Immediately upon the receipt of word
from Consul Letcher. at Chihuahua, that
Benten's body would be exhumed for the
benefit of Benton's widow and relatives.
who could visit the cemetery with an
American representative. a second re-
guest went forth to Villa asking that the
corpse be turned over to the widow on
American territory.
Villas refusal to accede to the request
for the body has not met with favor by
officials here, who are seeking now to
impress upon him through Consol Letch-.
er the Importance the world generally
will attach to such refusal.
Looming back of the situation growing
cut of the shooting of Benton is the pos
sibility, admitted by officials here today,
that force of American cavalrymen may
he sent into Juarez to recover Benton 8
body That this would be an act of war
which would have to be authorized by
Congress is denied by officials here. They
point to President Wilson's declaration
that there Is no government in Mexico as
justifying such a move and call atten-
ton to the precedent established during
the Boxer uprising in China, when an in
ternational force entered that country
without any declaration of war.
Proof of Killing Rests on Wounds.
Upon the character of the wounds
found rests proof Of Villas version Of
the killing. If the body is found riddled
with rifle bullets, officials think the story
Of an execution after court-martial will
be confirmed, and attention then will be
further directed to a point now care
fully being investigated as to whether
Benton had committed crimes as Villa
charges, and was of disposition to fight
with firearms.
indications were today that the inves-
tigation would last for several days. with
no final Judgment until all the facts had
OothoraI n6ncya1S ord hn do
livery of the body as Of first importance,
however.
Secretary Bryan visited the White
House before going to his Office to read
overnight dispatches. He made no COM
ment on the situation.
Status Of the Inquiry.
White House officials. after Secretary
Bryan had left. made this explanation OF
the status of the inquiry for Benton 8
body:
Two dispatches were received yesterday.
one from Consular Agent Carothers. say
ing Villa would not permit a view Of the
body lat this time" but would do so
later. That message came during the
afternoon.
Late last night a message was received
from Consul Letcher at Chihuahua who
had been in personal conference with
Villa. He reported Villa was willing to
have the widow and relatives of Benton
see the body. when it was exhumed, and
that their visit would be permitted in the
presence of representatives to be desi;-
mated by the American government
The change in Gen. Villas attitude
as reflected in these two messages, it
was said. was the result of representa-
lions by the United States that his at
titude was not satisfactory. The
United States will designate an army
surgeon as one of its representatives
and an examination of the body will
be made. according to White House Off
cials.
While apparently satisfied that an OBJ
portunity for medical examination OF
representations to Villa request that
after the examination the body be de-
liyered to the widow for burial wher-
ever she may wish.
Information Given British Embassy.
Secretary Bryan has communicated to
the British embassy the latest mes
sages from Consul Letcher. announc-
ing Villas Willingness to permit the
widow to view Benton's body. but his
refusal to allow its removal That
however. may not meet the demands OF
the British embassy. Secretary Bryan
declined today to intimate what he
would do in the event that Villa per
sisted in his refusal and Carranza could
not be induced to intervene.
That Villa Is refusing to allow Benton.
botfy to be sent across the nternationa
border because he fears a demonstration
which might cause trouble would result
was suggested by conatitutionalists here
today as a possible reason for the rebe
leader attitude. The taking of the bod,
vi Da.,o hot {fc