Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1914-02-21
Villas EXCUSE
IS sent TO
BRYAN
he DECLARES HE HAD BENTON
KILLED BECAUSE HE DREW
A REVOLVER


Washington, Feb 21.-White House
officials stated today that official re
ports from General Villa and his
friends declared William S. Benton
the British ranchman, was executed
because he entered the tent of Villa
armed and threatened the life of the
constitutionalist commander.
In view of this report, there was q
disposition at the White House to
await full investigation Of the facts
before expressing any opinion. It was
also stated that Great Britain was
holding in allegiance any representa-
tions pending the completion of re-
port on the affair by the American
government.
Late official dispatches to the state
department, containing Villas version
Of the affair, were brought to the
White House, but a complete account
OF the killing as personally explained
to Consul Edwards is on its way by
mail
Official dispatches from American
consular representatives say further
that Villa claims Benton came to him
armed and that during the course Of
4 long argument and quarrel Benton
raised gun to shoot, but was dis
armed, and trial by military court
followed.
Robert V. Pesquiera. constitutional
list agent here madep ublic the fol-
lowing telegram from constitutionalist
headquarters at Juarez:
Benton entered Villas apartment
very unexpectedly, demanding protec.
ton for his interests and bitterly in
sulting Villa and the rebef army. Gen
eral Villa told him that he considered
him an enemy to the constitutionalist
cause and that in order that he might
not continue to work against it, he
(villa) was going to pay him the value
of his (Benton's) property in the state
Of Chihuahua.
Benton became very exasperated at
this and drew his revolver. intending
to kill the general, but the latter i'm
mediately knocked him down, disarm-
led him and sent him to jail. Bentor
was afterwards tried by special
military court and sentenced to death
and duly executed, All in accordance
with the laws and usages Of war"
Announcement that Benton met
death in Juarez after court martial
ordered by villa was made today by
Secretary Bryan. who said he had no
further details. His information came
in a dispatch from Consul Edwards at
Juarez, who said he had read the court
martial proceedings, which were for
warded by mail to Washington.
Secretary Bryan communicated Con-
sui Edwards message to Sir Ceci'
Spring-Rice, the British ambassador.
and instructed Consul Edwards to de-
mand adequate protection and a fair
hearing for Gustav Bauch, an Amevi-
can citizen. for whose safety in Jua-
reg grave apprehension has been felt.
Friens Of Bauch in Ell Paso have tele-
graphed to Representative Smith Of
Texas, that he had been shot as a
spy. No report hao eeen received at
the state department today on the re-
ported disappearance of two other
EngIishmen, Lawrence and Curtis, who
were said to have gone to Juarez to
search for Benton
Waiting Failure
A telegram from r. N. Dudley Of
El Paso, Texas. to Senator Fall, de
claring Benton was murdered like a
dog" was read In the senate today al
the request Of Senator Fall. He also
had read q telegram from the 81 Paao
mass meeting
T am also certain Villa did it in
person said the telegram from Dud-
ley. There is no evidence that BEN
ton was the aggressor, added the