Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1914-02-23
May Send Troops 10 Mexico

1 ~ w. - ~ ElSAA ttAN ~
velopments Of the next day or two in
the case Of William S. Benton, the
British ranchman executed by the
Mexican constitutionalist general, Vii
la, and at Juarez, seems to rest whe-
ther the senate will take hand in
the Mexican situation
Acting Chairman shively Of the for
eign relations committee, after con
ference with Presidenc Wilson today,
said if the senate discussed Mexico,
it would probably bs upon some of
the pending resolutions which for
months have been sidetracked that
the administration might be left free
to deal with the problem.
There are three such resolutions
One by Senator Penrose proposes that
United States troops be placed in Mex
leo as a constabulary for the protec-
tion Of Americans Another by Senar
tor Fall proposes to put the senate on
record to the effect that Americans
and their property must be protected.
Still another by Senator Sheppard con
Germs recognition OF the belligerency
OF the constitutionalists. If adminis-
tration leaders let the Mexican situa-
tion break out in senate debate, it
probably will be upon either or both
Of the FIRST.
Secretary Bryan today declined to
discuss, deny or affirm whether he
had demanded production Of Benton's
body An examination of its wounds,
it was pointed out, probably would
disclose whether the Englishman was
executed by a firing squad or killed by
Ione shot, and also whether his death
was caused by rifle balls or revolver
bullets.
Meanwhile no additional details Of
the killing had been received here,
nor had further report been made Of
the safety Of Bauch, an American
held as spy at Chihuahua
Sir Cecil spring-Rice, the British
ambassador, continued to await re-
ports OF the killing Of Benton, be-
fore reporting to his government at
London.
Senator Shively, acting chairman Of
the foreign relations committee, con
ferred with President Wilson about
foreign affairs and got all the infor
nation received by the president on
the killing Of Benton. The senator
said afterwards that the Benton Incl
dent was 'still in process Of inyest-
cation"
Senator shively was Of the opinion I
that the Mexican situation would not
be generally debated in the senate,
at least until all the facts in the Ben
ton case had been gathered, and then,
If it came up the subject would be
introduced in connection with a pend +
ing resolution asking that the Uni
ted States take certain steps to pro
tect foreigners in Mexico.
Judgment is to be, reserved by the
American government until other de-
tails sought by Independent investi-
cation are received. In the meantime
the feeling Of apprehension for the
safety Of Gustav Banch, Roger Law
renee and an Englishman named Cur
tis, as well as other missing foreign
ers, served to ernphaslae the extent to
which the tinted States government {
had become involved in obtaining pro
lection Of the foreign residents III
Mexico.
Thus far the state department has
learned only Villas side Of the case,
which was that Benton provoked a
quarrel, was armed and threatened
Villas life The right Of the rebel
commander to court martial and exe-
cute Benton. Il he did make an az
tempt on Villas life, ls not questioned
by American officials.
The story Of Benton's friends that
he was unarmed. that he was killed by
villa in person and that the courtmar-
tial was nothing but an inquest is
being carefully taken into considera-
ton by officials here
Talk Of armed Intervention. possible
speeches in the senate by those who
favor drastic policy and a general
agitation is again in the afr. Admin
officials realize that the sit
uation is fraught with all sorts Of pos
in which the unexpected Oft
en- plays vital part.
Administration leaders were confids
ent today that they would be support
ed by the majority Of the democrats
as well as by many republicans in I