Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-02-28
State Department Agent to
Stay With Rebels on
Southern Campaign.
PERCEvAL CONTINUES
BENTON DEATH PROBE
Constitutionalists Feel Great Brit
aims Virtual Snub-Friends of
Vergara Investigate Death.

Ell PASO, Tex, February as.-George
c. Carothers. representative Of the United
States State Department. said today that
he hoped to start for Chihuahua by to-
night. He will travel Oh a gasoline vcloc-
ipede which is capable of running forty
miles an hour. Carothers intends to re-
main with Gen. Villa throughout the lat
tcr's southern campaign. Charles 4. c.
PerceNal. British consul at Galveston.
now here 10 investigate the killing OF
William s Benton. continued his labors
in secret today.
So far the British consuls activities
have been confined to interviews. How
ever. Mr.. Carothers and Thomas Ed
wards. American consul at Juarcz. held
themselves in readiness to assist Mr. Per
ceval at his request or upon instructions
from Washington.
Gen. Scott, commander at Fort Bliss.
called on the British consul at his hotel
yesterday, but it WAS learned that Per
ccval did not broach the subject Of his
mission here. Mrs. William S. Benton,
widow of the man who was slain, also
called On the British consul.
Constitutionalist officers at Juarez yes
terday received instructions from Gen.
Villa that hereafter the American consul
shall be informed promptly of the arrest
of all foreigners.
Villas Departure Uncertain.
CHIHUAHUA. February 2s.-Gen.
Villa said today that the date of his de-
parture for the south was uncertain. and
in any event would not be until after the
Benton investigation commission arrived.
A 1, tl,o fad 1s hah aya
Torreon was denied by the general.
Gov. Chao is arranging for the pur-
chase of $3OOO.0O of silver bullion to
serve as a basis for new issue of notes.
Bankers, it is said, will accept certain
ranches and houses confiscated by the
rebels as payment.
Procedure Is Criticised.
NoGALES.> Sonora, Mexico. February
England. despite its recogni-
ton of Huerta. should have made direct
representation regarding the death at
Juarez of William S. Benton to Gen Car
ranza head Of the constitutionalist move
ment, was the position taken today by
those i'm close touch with Gen. CarranzA.
The constitutionaiist chief himself
maintained silence OIL the subject.
There appears to be some surprise
among those in Gen. Carranza's conf
dence that the American state depart
ment should have b; cached the Benton
matter TO the constitutionalists in behaif
of the British foreign Office. 1t was point
ed out, however. that the English recoE-
milton of Huerta, the landing of British
marines at Vera Cruz and the known re
lations between English capital and the
Huerta regime probably in a measure
were responsible for the British foreign
Offices mode Of procedure.
Profess Ignorance.
Insurgent officials professed ignorance
of the circumstances surrounding Ben
tons disappearance. asserting that the
matter had been considered of but little
Importance, until the arrival OF the Car
rama party at the border.
They said that no first hand informa-
ton had been received by their chief
since Gen. Villa made his original report.
which merely stated. 1t was sald, that
Benton had attempted the life OF villa
for which he had been tried and executed
No comment was forthcoming on Gen
Villas refusal to surrender Benton pody
because officials asserted that phase or
the case had moi been officially reported
and hence cou d not be considered
Alleged Carranza-Villa Breach.
JUAREZ. February :S.-It is said in
whispers here that an alleged breach
between CarranZa and Gen. Villa -
with difficulty kept from becoming an
open rupture. In Villas public docu-
ments, prepared by subordinates, Car
rama is referred to. as the supreme
chief" but 1t is said Villa. considers
that merely d title. CarranZa. II Is re-
ported. does not pretend 10 issue orders
to the leader of the forces in the field.
A house is being prepared Tor car
rama 1t is one of those confiscated
from the wealthy Jose ochoa- When
the supreme CHIEF arrives ne "iii Do
gi\ en- a demonstration of welcome
Americans Skeptical.
LAREDO, Tex, February 2s.-Ameri-
cans along the Mexican border were not
hopeful today that the slayers of
clemente Vergara, the Texas ranchman
killed by Mexican federals. would be
Identified and punished by Provisional
President Huerta's government. 1T
was pointed out that the Mexican war
exercised little restraint
over the isolated bands of federal
troops. While they took more hope
from expected action by the division
military chiefs. 1t also was remembered
that Eergara already had been executed
when Gen. Alvarez. in good faith, 1t Is
believed. promised his release un-
harmed.
Friends and relatives OF vergara
have started an inquiry into the killing,
In addition to the investigation being
made by the United States government
and the Texas authorities.
Reports from Hidalgo, where Vergara
was taken by orders of Capt. Apolono
seemed to indicate an act Of
on the body. Vergara was
executed by shooting and many believe
the subsequent hanging Of the body and
its abandonment to the elements was a
final act of humiliation toward the ranch
man, who had protested when his horses
we're stolen.
The location OF the body still was un-
Known today. 1t is hoped to bring it back
10 the United States.
Promises to Punish the Guilty.
MEXICO CITY. February 2s.-Josa
Lopez Portillo y Rojas. minister of for
sign affairs. replying to representations
,y Nelson O'Shaushnessy, American
,harge d'affaires. regarding the killing
#, Vergara by federais near HidalYo. sail
severe and swift punishment would he
in case the guilt of any
person or persons WIS established The
minister said the government had re-.
,eived no official report of the incident
md knew nothing but that an invcstiga-
ion had been ordered
Garden May Land Today.
GALVESTON, Tex. February cs-fhe
British cruiser Essex, with Sir. Lionel