The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1914-02-26

Washington, Feb. 23.-That the
Benton case may prove to be the turn
ing point in the attitude of the United
States toward the Mexican problem is
the opinion expressed in many quar-
tiers here. II is now admitted even by
high officials, that it is Impossible to
conceive of the United States gov
eminent supporting such a man as
General Villa in the presidency or
other high place in Mexico, and that
the whole Constitutionalist cause has
suffered a severe setback as a result
Of Villas conduct in shooting or caus-
ing to be shot, William s. Benton.
rancher and British subject, who
called on Villa to demonstrate against
continued depredations on his ranch.
There is no expectation discernible
I'm official quarters that out of the Ben
ton case will come any serious conse-
quences for the United States. The
belief is growing that Villas story will
be accepted az approximately the truth
and that there will be therefore no
pressure brought to bear on the Unit
ed States to the extent of forcing il
80 take drastic action in Mexico.
The state department is resting in
the Benton case. The mail reports
which have been forwarded by Con-
suls Edwards and Carothers are now
awaited, and until their receipt there
will be no action taken by the United
States government.
The state department has no infOr
nation whatever concerning the two
Englishmen, Lawrence and Curtis, Of
whom friends in FL Paso say that
since they went to Juarez last week
they have not been seen and that they
believe the two men have been ex-
ecuted by Villa. According to unoffi-
cial reports from the border. the re-
ports that the men have been executed
are not receiving full credence, even
an FL Paso.
A report that Gustav Bauch, the
German-American who when last seen
was held a prisoner by Villa in Juarez,
mas been transferred to a prison in
Chihuahua, has been forwarded to the
state department by Consul Edwards
This report, however, is based on what
was told the consul by officers whom
Villa left in charge in Juarez. and in
view of the concealment of Benton's
Fate for three days, officials here are
mot wholly convinced that the state
ments of Villas subOrdinates can be
implicitly relied upon. Unofficial re-
ports from FL Paso say that persons
who saw Villa and his party entrain
for the south on Friday declare that
3sssch was not among those who made
the trip.
Agents of Villa in Washington con-
tinue their efforts TO justify the exc
cution of Benton as in accordance with
military law and the necessities
Of the case. They issued a statement
attacking his character and declaring
that he had a reputation of bad
man" of the border. This description
is quite contrary to the testimony Of
friends and acqaintances of the dead
man. The conStitutionalist agents
here also declare that Benton was q
murderer of Mexican citizens. accus-
ing him of having shot and killed in
offensive Mexicans against whom he
had grudges.
The trial and execution of Benton,
a pretended British subject" it is de-
clared in a telegram said to have been
received from Villa, was absolutely
justified. In addition to many crimes
committed by this man under the pro-
lection of TerraZas and Creel. he tried
to assassirate me in JuareZ on the
10th inst | managed to disarm him
and still have ais loaded revolver in
my possession. As he was duly tried
by military court martial and SEN
fenced to death. | fail to see how the
mere fact that he claimed to be 2
foreigner should have afforded him
immunity from punishment for the
most serious offences"
The administrations policy of
"watchful waiting" over Mexico has
created good deal of unrest in con-
gress and debates on the subject are
likely to be heard in both branches in
the near future. Members of congress
familiar with the international stu
.tion express the belief privately that
he time is rapidly approaching when
he administration either must inter-
rene or recognize Huerta
Three persons we're ftally injured in