Norwich bulletin., 1914-02-24

Washington Feb. 25.-Regardless Of whether the execution of William $. Benton, British subject, by General Villa, was justified, today's develop ments emphasized clearly that pretec- ton of foreigners in rebel torn Mexico had become a commanding problem of increased international importance, appreciated no less by President Will son than by leaders in congress Brief ly, these were the days developments:
 After conference with President Wilson, Acting Chairman Shively of the senate foreign relations and mem bers of the committee reached an un- derstanding that the Mexican question, if taken up in the senate, should be discussed behind closed doors.
 British Consul to investigate.
 Pending resolutions looking to better protection for foreigners will be talk en up soon by the senate. The dis cusSion in the British parliament of the Benton incident was read with much interest by officials who ebserv- ed particularly that the United States was not held responsible by Sir Ed ward Grey for the death of Benton.
 The British embassy announced that the British consul at Galveston, Texas, had been ordered to El Paso to assist in the inquiry concerning Benton, but in no way to interfere with the Amer ican investigation.
 More Foreign Marines to Land. Limitations were received through terni- official channels that marines would be landed by Japan and France to act as legation guards in Mexico City along with those of Great Britain and Germany.
 That the Huerta government is not tOs the sending 0fZftaT6sfEr0 -iesa ton guards to Mexico City Is. known here officially, but the United States, for the present at least, will not follow the course of other nations.
 The whole tenor of the Mexican sit uation, while revealing no unusual act witty, reflected the same anxiety and perplexfng tangies which often have characterized it during days of extreme tension.
 Villas Story May Stand.
 Attention was chiefly focused on the investigation as to the manner in which William s. Benton met death at Juarez, but details of the affair are still lacking. The report which had been mailed by American consular rep resentatives at Juarez had not reached here late today. It is expected tomor- row. Its contents have been anticipat- ed by telegraphic despatches giving Villas version of the affair, and addi- 
 General Villa, at Chihuahua, by Amer 1can Consul Letcher. The attempt to exhume Benton's body, though unavail- ing as let, is expected to bring fur ther evidence.
 Just what will be the final judgment of the American officials in the case no one will predict, but it would not be surprising to many in official circles if Villas explanation went unchaIleuged in the absence of satisfactory proof with which to frnpeach it.
 May Issue Another Warning.
 That the American government may pass on to Great Britain the facts as found, without indicating any judg- ment at all in the matter, is consider ed by American diplomats as g likely course. Steps to obtain better prDtec- ton for English nationals then are ex- pected to follow, and it Is this feature of the case which is provoking a dis cussion of possible assertion of pol icy on the part of the United States which might express itself anew on the subject Of protection to foreigners
 That Great Britain might urge her subjects to leave Mexico, as did this government is considered pla1Sd ble. tbough there is some ground for the b'lief also that the American govern Dlent may express to the Mexican fac ttons & general warning about the Treatment of foreigners, the violation of which, it would be pointed out might lead to grave complications
 Mission of British Consul,
 The American government feeds d De- @sNjar sense of obligation in connection with the safety of foreigners in north ern Mexico, having assured those ma tions which had no consular repre- sentatiyes there that the Washington government would exercise 8. wadcffui eye in their behalf. That this does not involve direct responsibility was made clear today by Sir Edward Grey al London, but in some quarters teaighi the sending of Charles Alexander Spencer Perceval, British consul al Galveston, Texas, to Fl Pa.so, was re- garded as move. calculated to relieve fhe American government to some ex- tent of this task in the section arsuno Juarez. The British embassy explain ed that Consul Pereevai was sent to F Paso primarily to consult British sub. jects about the death of Benton ant to encourage refugees coneefnfng tlat protection of their friends and proper ty in northern Mexico. ThA e4Ebass9 disclained any intention of interfering with the American investigation of the Benton episode, declaring any facts gathered would be of Q supplementary characte