Evening star., 1914-03-01
Says Great Britain Must In
quire About Death of Ben
ton, Her Subject.
C0NSTITUTIONALIST BEGINS
GREAT DIPLOMATIC GAME
Breaks Silence With Move for Rec
ognition Of National Honor
and His Dignity.

NoGALES. Sonora, Mexico. February
2s-Gen. Carranza declined today to fur
nish information to the State Department
at Washington regarding the killing at
Juarez OF the British subject, william s
Benton At the same time he gave as
surances to Secretary Bryan that he
world investigate the disappearance near
Juarez of Gustav Bauch. an American
citizen.
This strongly defined stand came after
three days of negotiating between the
American Secretary of state and the
consututionalst commander = in chief.
through Frederick Slmpich, American
consul at Nogales. and Ysidro Fabela
acting secretary OF foreign relations in
Carranza's provisional cabinet.
Until this afternoon Gen. Carranza had
remained silent regarding his stand on
the request of Secretary Bryan. made
three days ago. for information of Ben
tons death.
Another message arrived today from
Secretary Bryan in which he requ ested
Immediate information about the disap-
pearance Of Bauch. CarranZa's replies
were made to both queries at the same
time. and in the form of documents trans
lated into English.
Must Come From Britain.
The stand was taken by tine revolu-
tionary leader that the death of Benton
a Briton, should be taken up through the
diplomatic channels of his country.
The fact that England has recognized
the Huerta central government was not
mentioned in the document. but occa-
stoned much speculation among those
familiar with the situation.
Carran:a in his reference to the Ben
ton case. pointedly remarked that
Bryan's original message had been the
official mention of the matter brought
to his attention as directing head OF the
resolution.
In the written message to Secretary
Bryan. which was addressed to Consul
simpich. Carranza did not say that any
Investigation Of the Benton case was
being made on his part. However. stimuli
taneously with the two notes to Wash
ington, Secretary Fabela issued an ON
cial announcement saying that the Ben
ton case was being investigated for the
satisfaction OF the -constitutionalist party.
It. was understood that Secretary
Bryans first message merely asked for
information regarding the Benton death
which had been requested by the British
foreign Office. On the delivery OF this
telegram Carranza entered upon long
conference with his adviser.
Correspondence Made Public.
All correspondence on the Mexican side
of the matter was given to the Asso-
ciated Press, and in addition the state
ment of Senior Fabela that the Benton
case was being investigated for the in
formation of Gen. Carranza, or perhaps
i'm case England should request the data.
This. 1t was pointed out, would put
England in the position of either vir-
tually recognizing the constitutionalist
s.f fbn ras.nD mi
of the Huerta government, or of being
unable to secure information regarding
the welfare of its subjects in territory
controlled by the insurgents
Senior Fabela when pressed for more
ample information in the Benton case
said:
Mr. Carranza has officially Informed
the Department Of State at Washington
that he could only attend to representa-
tions regarding the Benton case II the
same were presented to him by duly
authorized representative Of the British
government, but that he, nevertheless.
in his capacity as supreme chief of the
constitutionalist army, upon learning OF
the case of the British subject, william
S. Benton. has ordered an immediate In
vestigation of the facts of the case and
requested teeSraphic Information from
the local authorities at Chihuahua, ask
ing them to send him a full report on
the case, which he has not yet received.
owing no doubt. to the advance of Gen.
Villa south of Chihuahua.
Wants Dignity Respected.
Mr.. Carranzas attitude in the Benton
and Bauch cases in not accepting the
representation made by the American
government in the case OF British sub
ject. and his reply at once with deep in
terest to the representations made to him
through a duly authorized representative
to prove clearly that what Mr.. CarranZA
desires is to have the national dignity
and his position as supreme chief of the
conStitutionalist army respected, put al
the same time he does not wish by any
means to elude representations made 10
him in due form and according to inter-
national law"
Gen. Carranza's reply TO Mr.. Bryans
request for Information of the Bauch
case reads follows:
II have received through the acting
secretary of the department of foreign
affairs the telegram which the honorable.
the Secretary of State. William Jennings
Bryan, addressed to you today relative
to the Bauch case.
I'm reply thereto I have the honor 10
inform you that | have today telegraphed
to the competent constitutionalist aI-
thorities requesting them to report ~
me at once in detail regarding the facts
of the case mentioned in the telegram
referred to, and soon AS | shall have
positive information TO convey TO you
will do so at once.
Laments Unfortunate Incident.
Please believe. and beg of you to SO
inform the Department OF State, that
most sincerely lament this unfortunate
incident and that the department may
rest assured and have confidence that my
attitude now. as always, will be inspired
by absolute respect for the lives and
properties Of foreigners and for interna-
tional law.
please accept for yourself and be good
enough to transmit to the honorable, the
Secretary of State, the assurance OF my
highest consideration.
The text of the longer explanation
/, ho,,t the Renfon incident read: