The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-27
VILLA BALKs INQUIRY.
Contradictory stateMents Keep Sack
TPutA Absst Denton.

WASHINGTON, Feb. Ca week has now
passed since the death OF Benton. the
British rancher. was nrst learned and
still the efforts by this Government 70
ascertain the truth az to the killing are
absolutely futile At every turn the United
silence and contradictory statements Of
villa and his subordinates.
For the past forty-eight hours not an
inch OF progress has been made, and with
Great Britain still courteously insisten'
the situation remains unchanged excep.
for It's increased tension.
In the meantime sentiment Ia Congress
and throughout the country is obviously
becoming aroused. This has been ind
Gated by the ATTACKS on the President on
the floor OF Congress within the last two
days and especially by a development to-
night.
Secretary Bryan announced that ne had
received from GOV. Coiquit, OF Texas Al
inquiry as to whether or rot there would
be any objection 10 the State Of Texas
sending men into Mexico TO ASCERTAIN
and arrest those who were responsible
for the death of Clemente Vergara. An
American, whose body was found swing
Ing from the limb OF a tree near HidAlgo.
Secretary Bryan replied that the State
Department Is doing all 1t can to bring
about the arrest and punishment Of those
responsible for vergara's death. He
added, however. that for the State Of
Texas to send a military force into Mexico
would Involve responsibilities which only
the Federal Government was In position
| to assume.
Secretary Bryans hope and assurances
| TO the British Government In regard TO
the recovery OF Bentons body are I've sed
solely on the BELIEF that villa meant what
he said when he gave n vague promise TO
| permit the body of Benton to be viewed by
the widow and an American representa-
| tive. This was about forty-eght hours
ago and Notwithstanding the Efforts OF this
State Department 10 obtain something
more DEFINITE not word has been re-.
ceived as to where the body Is or when
1t Is to be exhumed. Neither villa nor
Carranza has replied to the representa-.
| tions of the United States Consuls
Bryan sim BeIi~ves IN villa.
Practically all officials here, with the
exception OF the President and Secretary
Bryan. now predict that the body OF Ben
ton never will be seen by an American
| official ar at least until all evidences Of
! the manner of mis- death have disappeared.
! This conviction is shared by the British
! Embassy. II Is also learned that those
! most anxious for the truth to lie learned
| hold that progress Is impossible until Mr..
| Bryan abandons his view that villa Is Q
/ man OF honor and truthfulness and a re-
! sponsble person.
In the face OF this widespread con-
viction that the body will never be Oh
tanned President Wilson declined this
| afternoon to say what the Unlsd States
would do about II, declaring that such L
| question could not be decided in ad-
vance He did. however, practically close
the door 10 the adoption OF the measure
| most commonly looked to as that Of last
resort, by declaring that to send Ameri-
can troops into Mexico to recover the body
| would be an act Of war.
In this view the President differs from
other high authorities w Washington.
! Having given this as his opinion. how
ever, Il is now conceded that the Pres'-
dent cannot later take such step with.
| out asking the consent or Congress. which
Is the only branch of the Government
having the power to authorize an act .oc
war. The President does not hold the
Wow that the action taken BY the alllaN
h China In 1900 or the. despatch OF