The Washington herald., 1914-03-10
RANGERS DENY
CROSSING Line
coSuxuED FROM PAGE ONE.

ed by the state and War departments
will make 1t easy to believe that the
Texas forces did not invade Mexican
territory.
Earlier in the day ofiicials were con-
siderabiy alarmed at the reports from
the border. 1t was feared that the in
cident might he the forerunner of all
sorts of disturbing events. which might
lead the United States closer to In
tervention> in Mexico. The relief of
Secretary Bryan at reports to the ef-
feet that the body was delivered on
the United Statet side of the river by
persons unknown" was obvious.
Pending the receipt of official reports
on the affair. Secretary Bryan yesterdny
afternoon called into consultation on the
case John Bassett Moore, whose resignn-
ton as counselor Of the State Depart
ment took effect last week. Mr.. Moore
conferred with the Secretary nearly nalf
an hour. Nothing was oivulged regard
ing the conference except that 1t con-
cerned the Tergara clSc.
Earlier Secret. y Bryan had confer
ence with President Wilson on the Ver-
CARA incident. going TO the White House
soon after his arrival in Washington from
Springfield, Mass, where he delivered
lecture yesterday afternoon. On going
to the state Department, he found only
n brief dispatch from Consul Garrett. at
Nuevo Laredo. reporting that he had In
his custody the body OF Vergara, which
had been returned to the American side
of the border. He said he was forward
ing a complete report by mail. but Sec
retary Bryan this afternoon telegraphed,
instructing him to report by wire at once.
This report is expected today.
Secretary Garrison took hand In the
affair yesterday morning, telegraphing
Gen. Bliss, commanding at San An
tonic, for a report on the raid across the
river. The army is involved because had
the military authorities known in ad-
vance of the raid they would have been
obliged by the terms OF their standing
orders to prevent the Texans from cross
ing. Gen. Bliss replied yesterday after
noon that he was having an investigation
made.
Benton Case Stands StiIl.
At the White House yesterday Presi-
dent Wilson emphatically declared that
the administration had no inkling that
any attempt was TO be made by Texans
to recover Vergara's body, and ex-
pressed doubt of the reports that Consul
Garrett knew 81 the plan in advance.
The President indicated the opinion that
the time has not yet come Tor the dis-
cussion as to what. II anything. the Fed
eral government Is to do in the matter,
in view of the lack OF official informa-
ton.
The conflicting stories as to how Ver-
gara's body got to the American side OF
the line caused much comment. 1t ls
believed that persons in Texas
are trying TO get from under any re-
sponsibility in the case. 1t is not be-
lieved that Federal soldiers brought the
body over. Opinion here rather inclines
to the belief that friends Of the dead man.
having learned where the body was bur-
led. undertook its recovery on their own
and arranged for its DE-
livery to the consul and the Texas Rang
ers on the American side of the border.
Secretary Bryan yesterday said he mad
no information to make public regarding
the case nf Benton. the British rancha-.
Or the commission which was to go to
TO 1I.x to- body. 1t Is how
admI!ted that the commission
probably lsvsr vii: he heard Of again.
The Secretary }: State also said the
,ase of Bauch. the Americln supposed to
have been killed at Juarez, was in statu
Iuo.