Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-02-24
Victim of Villas Wrath
Not English Subject,
Claim Made.
ONCE VILLAGE MAYOR
search of Records Is Begun at
Chihuahua City to Establish
Alleged Facts.

p.s,. Texas. Feb. 24.-Regarding
- ,,tempt OF Mexican rebels to estab-
"a that William Benton, the Scotch
IN executed at Juarez, was a Mexi-
:, citizen. Frederico Cara, counsel
- N the commander Of the Juarez
zTison. said:
We have heard that Benton held
..vsr.l Offices under President Diaz.
.,s vas once mayor OF small settle
=. NJ his own estate. He could not
,,vs held ofhce without being a Mexi-
=, citizen. and the records at Chihua-
-, CITY are being searched to estab-
Esh the facts.
Rslatives here OF Benton say the
Ids to his Mexican property refer
a hin as a British subject. Meanwhile
a. request OF the state department at
W,shington for the body OF Benton
"a met only with silence. kilograms
!, yIIla from many cities in the United
Ss,es. London. Paris and Berlin ask
n an explanation of Benton's death,
TT with the same story OF court mar
izl execution
lawrence Is Located.
The finding in Imperial Valley, Cali
,oruia. Of Roger Lawrence. an English
zan reported missing in Mexico, leads
% a belief here that his alleged COM
vanion. Curtis, is also safe in the
United States. No trace. however, OF
Compton, an American, has been re-
rsaled. The Fl Paso Times prints an
r,erview with Villa. at chihuahua IN
Tssck the rebel leader says he gave
Gustav Bauch, an American, his lib
srty at Juarez. last Thursday. In re-
ply to inquiries at the penitentiary at
Chihuahua today. by Consul Fletcher
Ird the Associated Press, IL was stated
szuch had never been there. There
8 10 trace Of the missing man.
Juzrez, Mexico. Feb. ga tele-
rIn in which villa charges Benton
Elth having been a cattle thief and
iaTing committed four murders. was
received Al military headquarters to-
AE
Warrington Without News Of 5such.
Washington. d. C.. Feb. 24.-The
stzts department officials had no word
bay Of Gustav Bauch, over whose
a;s grave anxiety is felt Neither
r1 there news OF Compton and Cur
II oficials were particularly inter
Std IN news dispatches In which
Via has represented as contradicting
previous statement that Bauch was
-zastsrred from Juarez to Chihuahua
A Chihuahua yesterday Villa said he
nsT nothing OF Bauch
President Wilson discussed the Mex
eza situation with the cabinet today
y, was said no conclusion in the
Eaton case was reached The Incl
's1t Is still in process Of investiga~
tna.
Consul 20 Visit Scene.
London, England, Feb. 24.-FOreign
Secretary Grey told the house Of com
7ons today that the British ambassa-
1f Al Washington was instructed yes
efaay 70 inform the United States
Ia Great Britain considered it essen
al for the British consul TO visit the
20 where Benton was killed. Con
~ PerciTai was selected. and he was
supply the best reports possible re-
s1'cing BentOn's death, and concern
= Ne missing Englishman, Curtis.
s'sy read a communication from the
saie department at Washington TO
-e eject that the American consul az
'aA-ez had been instructed to make
"sfy Effort 10 secure the exhumation
"a ezanination OF the body OF Ben
= aud 70 take the statements Of all
= Witnesses he can find. employ le-
assistance as far as desirable. and
~ facts
Sonprehensiyeness Of the American
-'suctions called forth hearty cheers
ae house Of commons.
ne British government has invoked
good ofnces or the United States
Ege that there shall be no interfer-
- ~ General Villa with the inves-
e.uon Of the death OF Benton 20 be
oe oy the British consul at Calves
- iexas. who had been ordered 90
9 o Juarez.
To Take Over Oil Lands.
snoo City. Feb. PA plan for
T-enaiization Of all the oil lands Of
80 VIII be forced through the next
,e4n congress which convenes
- ]. according 20 Querido Aohsno.
- Of the new cabinet post Of com
ee and Industry. A report is cur
-, -, NAT Il is the intention Of the fed
soFernment % transfer the oil I
,-,. % Lord CoEdrzy for So. 1000. 900 |
- after they have been national