Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-02-23
Intervention Is Not
to Be Attempted in
Mexico by England

any attempt OF tnat character Wnlcn
would be both futile an. impolitic."
This is the attitude Of the British
Foreign Office as outlined to-day in
the House of Commons by Francis
Dyke-Acland, parliamentary under
secretary for foreign affairs, after full
consideration of the series of victimi-
cations of British subjects In Mexico
eliminating in the removal of William
S. Benton by villa at Juarez."
Mr.. Acland informed the House that
the British government had been in
frequent communication with the gov
ernments of the United States and
Mexico respecting the protection of
British lives and property in Mexico
The continued fighting in Mexico"
he added, 'if of very great prejudice
to British and other commercial in
terests and is a matter of great con-
Germ"
VIII Produce Papers
MIR. Acland promised to lay the pa
pers on the subject of Mexico before
the House of Commons as soon as pos
sible, but he added significantly:
THE most interesting papers at the
British Foreign Office, however, are
communications made at various
times, with the government of the
United States concerning its policy and
its views regarding Mexico. Some of
these are of a confidential character
and I cannot include them in a blue
book without asking the consent of
the United States government
Newspapers Comment
The killing of William S. Benton.
the Scottish ranchman, by the rebel
Villa at Juarez, occupied the most
prominent place in all the newspapers
of the British Isles to-day. The Man
chester guardian, one of the leading
Liberal papers, says:
eft is impossible not to suspect that
the execution of Benton was no bet
ter than murder. The facts are pretty
clear but it is difficult to draw any
lesson from them except that the
Mexican leaders still conduct their
warfare with the barbarity of the
difficulties even though General HUI
erta were driven from power"
The Pail Mall Gazette, an Opposition
organ, under the heading: ITS muir
der most FOUL says the staying of
Benton is an event which touches the
honor of the British name to the
quick.
The Globe says: "The result of the
middle ages and that President Will
son would be far from the end of his
inquiry conducted by the United States
strained emotion, but 1t will have to
be conclusive in it's justification of the
act inquired into If it Is to satisfy not
only British but we are glad to think
American opinion as WELL"
Referring to President Wilson's re-
fusal to recognize General Huerta as
provisional president Of Mexico, the
Globe asks: 10
"If 1t be proved that Villa has un-
justifiably done to death a peaceful
British resident, how can the princi-
pies which condemn Huerta be recon-
ciled with the appreciation and support
government has undertaken to protect
British subjects in Mexico it's obliga-
ton to act promptly and effectively in
the present case Is clear"
When the British Foreign Secretary
related how Sir Cecil Spring Rice had
told Secretary of State Bryan that the
public opinion of Europe was likely
to be seriously affected by Villas atti-
tude, an encouraging cheer rolled
through the House.
Bryan Promises Inquiry
Sir Edward Grey added that Mr..
Bryan while declining responsibility
for Villas doings, had promised full
inquiry. He said details would be
forthcoming and expressed deep re-
gret at the occurrence. Sir Edward
Grey continued:
Before this incident occurred, the
United States government had at our
request, impressed upon the leaders of
the Constitutional party in Mexico
the necessity of respecting the lives
of foreigners. should like to add that
the fact that we are communicating
with the government of the United
4f frror ha
it has any responsibility frr what has
taken place. Communication has been
made because the United States alone
can In these circumstances exercise
any influence to discover the truth and
get justice done. Juarez is close to the
United States frontier and we have
no means of exercising influence in
those regions under existing circum-
stances. l am still in communication
with the British ambassador at Wash
ington and with the United States gov
ernment as to what further steps can
be taken"
Inquiries About Others
Sir John Rose asked whether Sir
Edward Grey had any information
concerning other Europeans who are
said to have disappeared in Mexico.
Sir Edward replied:
mo, but I have already telegraphed
to Sir Cecil Spring-Rice suggesting for
his consideration what steps 1t would
be possible to take In this very dis
turbed region to ascertain the where
abouts of these people"
In the course of his explanation Sir
Edward Grey read a telegram Sir Cecil
Spring Rice had received from Mrs.
Benton at Eel Paso which was as fol-
lows:
"I beg to advise Your Excellency
that my husband, Benton, a British
subject, yesterday went to Juarez and
after a heated discussion with Villa
was thrown into JAIL A friend visited
Villa on his behalf. Villa said L have
not got him in prison. saw him this
morning. and declined any further
talk on the subject