The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-03
WILSON REALIZES
PEACEFUL MEANS
MAY PROVE FUTILE
He Is Alive to Gravity
Of Mexican Stu
alton.
DRASTIC COURSE
MAY BE NECESSARY
President Deplores Armed In
tervcntion, but Hints That, if
1t Cannot Be Avoided, Amer
ican Government Can Be
Expected to Move De-
cisively and Effectively.

Washington. March a.-President
Wilson revealed to those who dls-
cussed Mexican affairs with hrn to
day that he fully realized the gravity
OF the situation resulting from ths
killing OF William s. Benton Brit
5sh subject. the report.d murder OF
Gustav Bauch, and Clemento Nergurn
American citizens. and General Car
ranzaB denial Of tho right OF the
United Statcs to look after the inter
csts CT foreigners Renerall. In Mexico.
The President spoke deplor!ngiy Of
armed intervention, hut TT the Same
time Dointediy referred TO tho size and
power OF country like the United
states as being sufficient warrant for
n calm and patient course while com
pliancc with tho american demands
was being sought
Not TO He stnmpeded
Callers ,,ot th, Impression from the
president that he was determined 70
try every peaceful means At nia dis
poaal 10 solve tnc Mexican problem.
but that he realized certain cventuali-
Ncs might mean drastic course lie
spoke With a iir,nncss that showed his
determination not to nc stsnlpcdcd into
action By radical speeches i'l Congress-
nut with II hint the, when TN. ncccE-
sity arose. tho American government
could bo expected To move dccisiyrIy
and effectively.
The Benton case depends largely the
extent 10 which the United states wlll
become involved. Should England
show an Inclination to let tho E3entou
cage avail; Il final adjudication at a
time when nrm government il cs-
taoIished in Mexico, the Emitted States
w,'l not feel called upon to challenge
General Carranza's specific refusal to
supply the Washington administration
with Information about Bcnton's death
ltcpresc ntations have been made to
General Carranza- 1t Is understood.
through American Consul Simpich at
Nogaies. and Oh their outcome depends
whether or not the expedition which
had planned TO go to ChihuHhua from
Juhrcz yesterday 10 cNataine Benton's
body will carry out !ts mission.
The Washington administration, how
ever Is taking II Tor granted that ar
engagements authorized by General Vii.
Ia soon would he approved hy Car
rama
we are waiting for the details 10
he completed" said Secretary Bryan.
II was his only comment
Seek TO Appense CnrranxR.
Administration officials realize that
IN not communicating tirst with car
rama they have offended his personal
dignity, and they hope 10 overeon..
This By consulting him now. impress
Ing upon the Cons stitutionaItSt chief in
cidentally that the American govern
inent does not think formnlitics ought
TO stand In the way. of obtaining nropcr
protection for foreirners
General Carran2a's declaration that
foreign governments should address
him about the welfare OF their sub
iects led to visit 10 Secretary Bryan
to-day By Sir Cecil Spring -Lice. the
British ambassador. and Senor Riano.
the Spanish ambassador. Both Spain
and Great Britain have recognized the
Huerta government. and have been
looking 10 the United States 10 act for
them In Northern, Mexico.
There Is every indication that this
course will be continued, and 1t Is clear
ly established that Carran"a's lnanoeu
rre will not lead the British govern
ment into any recognition OF Other
dealings with him.
President Wilson explained to callers
that many foreign governments had
desired the United States to look after
their subjects. but. of course had no
right to demand IL. and were not de-
nlhndfng IT, Strictly speaking Car
rama might insist on his right not To
deal with one government in the in
terests of another. hut such q situa-
tfon undoubtedly would produce grave
complications with the United states
government upon whom the powers OF
the world have learned TO look as the
dominant factor IN Pan-Amer'can
diplomacy.
First Specific refusal.
Carranza has once before suggested
that Spain. Instead OF the United States
should address him directly about the
welfare OF Spanish subjects This was
intimated by Secretary BRYAN to-day.
but on that occasion. nevertheless. as
snrances were given that all foreigners
would be protected. The Benton case
is the first specific refusal to regard
the interest of the American govern
ment In the case of II subject of an
other country
General Villas Acknowledgement OF
General Carranza rs his superior au-
thority has cleared up all doubt here
ms to who Is chief of the Const!tu-
tonalist movement. ana has relieved
the Washington government OF the
necessity OF considering that point.
Hereafter. as General Carranza re-
quests, International matters will he
taken up with him. lie also will bo
called to account for all harm to for
eigners.
Sir Edward Greys expected state
ment to the House Of Commons Is
awaited here with much interest, as II
is felt by many he Will show Just how
far Grent Britain expects reparation
for the Benton killing at this time.
Tomorrow Sir Lionel Garden, tho
British minister to Mexico, will dis
cuss Mexican affairs with President
Wilson. bringing him tho latest In
formation about the Huerta govern
rnent and the situation in Mexico City
Just as President Wilaon had de-
cided that tho note which Huerta had
addressed several days ago to all for
eign governments was designed for
f(tontfpuad ~, Goyon.A