Norwich bulletin., 1914-02-26

Washington, Feb. 25.-The Mexican situation, which has centered chiefly for the last few days upon efforts to determine how and why the constitu- tionaliSts executed William S. Benton. a British subject, was broadened today when Consul Garrett at Nuevo Laredo was instructed to inquire into tho hanging by Mexican federalS of Clem- ente Vergara, an American citizen.
 The consul was directed by the state department to demand the body of the dead American from officers of the Huerta government in the vicinity of Hidalgo, Mexico, where Vergara was killed. Earlier in the day Marion Letcher, American consul at Chihua- hua, had been instructed to insist that General Villa permit the delivery of the body of Benton to the widow for burial where she may wish.
 Ask for Location of Benton's Grave.
 These, with an explanation by Sec retary Bryan to the senate foreign re- lations committee of all the informa- tion on the Benton incident and Mex ico generally in the hands of the state department, constituted the principal developments of the day.
 General Villas message of last night, offering to permit the widow of Benton or relatives and an official to see the body, when exhumed. is being taken to mean by the American government that a. complete medical examination may be performed. Secretary Bryan told the senators that the United States was insisting that two Ameri- can representatives, be permitted to see the body and that one of these be an army surgeon. He also has made in quiry as to exactly where the grave is located. General Villa up to late today had not replied to the last request of Secretary Bryan for the surrender of s1xy.= hxr< se that the British ambassador, Sir Cecil Spring-R Rice. for the present. will be satisfied if there is an opportunity for an autopsy, which would determine whether Benton was shot by pistol bullet or by rife bullets from q firing squad.
 Army Surgeon to Examine Body.
 It is thought the British ambassador is anxious that evidence be secured first, believing discussion of the dis- position of the body can be taken up afterwards. The same army surgeon who will be detailed by General Scott at Fort Bliss to act with the British consul, Charles A. s. Perceval, when he arrives at Fl Paso, will report to the American government on the con- dftion of Benton's body.
 The British ambassador had 8 brief conference with Secretary Bryan early in the day and was kept informed lat CT of messages received by the state department.
 That no change of policy for the American government in connection with its treatment of the Mexican problem was discussed fin the senate conference with Secretary Bryan. be- came known afterwards. It is said, however. that while officials are not peiudging the Benton affair and are awaiting for all the facts, the danger to the safety of foreigners in northern Mexico, and what is being construed as Inability on g. part of the constftlrtion- alists at least to prevent international complications, is receiving the deep consideration of high administration officials.
 United States Looking to Carranza.
 If has developed that the American eoyerrmant is informally looking to General VeuHSf4ano Carranza. as dtu- lar head of the constitutionalist move ment to cIar1fy the situation in con- nection with the Benton killing. The news that Luis Cabrera was at Juarez in conference with Villas friends, urg- ing the immediate delivery of the body for examination was received with satisfaction by the state department.
 He is understood to be an emissaTy from Carranzs, and 1t is said the state department has on previous occasions benefited by Senor Cabrera,s activities ~>N>~~~N| oN-~S- foreigners.
 Should Carranza's influence with Villa Ee unavaiIing in the present instance, It is admitted by many officials that the problem in northern Mexico as having developed g. much more serious aspect than before
 Another Possible Complication.
 Another aspect of the situation that dr a,Sr of% %Ar 6 f97a sand ing to Mexico City of the armed lega- ton guards of foreign nations. The possibility of complications over the presence of these guards in case ot overt acts or disturbances in Mexico City is being taken into consideration While the sending of a guard for the American embassy was absolutely re- 5ected as unnecessary two weeks ago 1t is now being discussed with much more seriousness.
 Bryan Before Senate Committee.
 Secretary Bryan took the senate committee in his confidence on the Mexican situation in general and the Benton execution in particular, and also discussed the foreign relations of the nation as pertaining to other coun- tries He told the committee that the position of the United States in this regard was being improved, g, ayerrins n,; treaties last week had been effective in establishing confidence among the powers.
 The committee wanted to learn an tue facts it could obtain with relation to Mexico, and Secretary Bryan answered frankly all the questions put to him. He emphasized the fact that the policy of the government toward Mexico was receiving loyal support from foreign nations, and read to the committee several communications on the subject from other powers. He called attention to the speech in the house of commons the other day by Sir Edward Grey, the British foreign rnir,zsfer affar fha ewaeutinr of Rar