The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1914-02-26
BLAST WIPES OUT
ENTIRE COMPANY
OF HUERT|STAS
Fifty Officers and Men on Train
Slain by Rebels.
PASSENGERS ARE FIRED UPON
Bryan Is Warned by English Envoy
Sir Edward Grey Tells House Of
Commons Of Crisis Due to
Villa Outrage.

Vera Cruz, Feb. "A government
troop train carrying a company Of In.
fantry from Mexico City, destined for
Jalapa, was blown up by rebels near
the Lima station Of the Interoceanic
railway, 140 miles from Vera Cruz. The
entire train was demolished. All on
board, including SIS officers and men
and the English engineer, were killed.
A passenger train, which was follow
ing in the wake OF the troop train was
fred on by the rebels, but escaped by
backing rapidly.
London, England, Feb. 2I.--The his
tory OF the Benton affair as contained
in the information furnished to Sir
Cecil Spring-Rice, British ambassador
to the United States, by the state de-
partment at Washington, was COM
municated in official form TO the house
OF commons by Sir Edward Grey.
When the British foreign secretary
said that Sir Cecil Spring-Rice had
told Secretary OF State Bryan that
Iuc vi CIuiopC
ly to be seriously affected by Villas
attitude, an encouraging cheer rolled
through the house.
Crowded House Eagerly Listens.
A full house listened with intense
interest to the explanations given by
Sir Edward Grey and by Francis
Dyke Acland, parliamentary under
secretary for foreign affairs. They
both spoke of the British govern
ment's attitude and discussed their
communications with Washington.
Sir Edward Grey explained that
Great Britain did not hold the United
States responsible for Villas acts, but
he said the British government was
powerless to take any measures In the
disturbed regions.
v. S. Ambassador Sees Grey.
Several members questioned the
secretary for foreign affairs to make
sure that the government was taking
all possible steps to learn the facts
OF the Benton case.
Walter Hines Page, American am,
bassador. in an informal talk with Sir
Edward Grey. expressed his personal
regret over the killing Of Benton. Mr..
Page visited Sir Edward TO inform
him of the ratification by the United
States senate Of the arbitration treaty
between the United States and Great
Britain.
In his talk to the house OF com,
mons Sir Edward Grey declared that
Mr.. Bryan while refusing to be held
responsible for Villas doings, prom
lsed thorough inquiry. He said de-
tails would be forthcoming and ex-
pressed deep regret at the occurrence.
Keeps In Touch With America.
Before this incident occurred" he
said. 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 com.
municating with the government Of
the United States does not imply that
It has any responsibility for 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 ex-
ercising influence in those regions un-
der existing circumstances. am In
communication with the British am.
bassador at Washington and with the
United States as to what further steps
can be taken"
Asked About Other Europeans.
Sir John Rees asked whether Sir
Edward Grey had any information
concerning other Europeans who are
said to have disappeared In Mexico
Sir Edward replied:
NO, but I have telegraphed to Sir
Cecil Spring-Rice, suggesting for his
consideration what steps 1t would be
possible to take in this disturbed re-
gion to ascertain the whereabouts OF
these people," -.
In the course Of his explanation Sir
Edward Orgy read telegram Sir
Cecil SpriLy idce had received from
Mrs. Benton at Ell Paso, which was
as follows: IS,
Il beg to advise your exceliency that
my husband, Benton, a British subject,
went to Juarez and after a heated dis.
cussion with Tilla was thrown into
Jail. A friend visited Villa on his be-
half. Villa said: I have not got him
In prison., ! saw him this morning,
and refused to talk further on the sub.
ject." ...,. r,..
"Hands on" VIII Be Policy.
THE pacifcation of Mexico is an OBJ
ject We honestly desire to see accom-.
piished, but 1t is impossible to effect
IL by British Intervention. We do not
intend to make any attempt of that
character. which would be both futile
and impolitic." -
This Is the attitude of the British
foreign ONCE an outlined by Mr.. Ac.
land.
Mr.. Acland informed the house that
the British government has been In