Evening journal., 1914-02-25
DEFIANCE OF
VILLACAUSES
WASHINGTON
UNEASINESS
Refusal Of Mexican Rebel to
Turn Over BentOn'S Body
Also Has Aroused
Great Britain
WILL MAKE NEW
DEMAND ON BAND a
RT IOHN Y. NEYIN.

Stan Correspondent Of United Press.
WASHINGTON. Feb. s5.-A nnal
desperate attempt 20 force Frsncisco
villa TO surrender the body og WI
liam $. Benton, British ranchman.l
slain by his order was being made
today. On its success or failure ~ss
believed to hinge the entire Mexican
policy Of the Wilson administration.
The oontemptuous refusal Of villa TO
turn the body over to Mrs. Benton sol
that an autopsy could be held hast
greatly aroused Great Britain, ac
cording 10 reports here. So serious
Is the situation that Secretary OF
State Bryan was at his desk a good /
part Of last night and returned there
early today. There was no doubt that
he was greatly worried over the i'm
mediate developments. but he posi-
lively declined TO comment in any
manner on Villas defiant attitude.
The Secretary of State went from
President Wilson's reception 10 the
army and navy before midnight last
night to his desk in the State Depart
ment. After peruHing the message
from Consul Letcher. at chihuahua.
saying that villa would let Mrs. Ben
ton look at her dead husbands face.
but would Immediately renter the
body. he sent new instructions to the
border
These are said to be a new demand.
oouched In the sharpest language. that
villa turn Benton's dead body over al
/ once. IN addition the local Consti-
iutionalist junta has been warned IA
has been General Carranza himself
that this government Is under obl-
cation TO Great Britain to investi4afe
fully all Of the circumstances re-
garding Benton's death and that Il
VIII do 50 whether villa aids or re-
tards such Inquiry. And villa Car
rama and their lieutenHnts in the
nelds have been warned that British
Consul Perceval is On route from
Galveston 70 Juarez 10 hold an in-
curry OF his own and that he must be
neither harassed OF retarded.
kumors were afost here TODAY regard.
ing other developments in North Nexic,.
The State Department il about CON.
WINGED that Gustav Rauch. American ana
John Lawrence, British subject. have al.
ready been summarily executed hy
Villas direct orders Every effort "a
being made TO locate the men and ascef
tain their fate. The fact that the con
J sular representatives at Chihuahua CITY
and Juarez report failure was feared 10
. confirm the rumor that they have been
made away with. The change Of senti.
I ment along the Mexican border wss also
causing worry. Where a week ago the
Constitutionalista were in high favor
and their success hoped for. todav'n in
formation Indicated that thew are cor
daily and bitterly detested The army
ofiicers along the Rio Grande report that
open threats are being made against
Villa and his men. and that they fear.
~ Bcnton's body is not surrendered, q
well-srmed band Of his friends may try
; 10 get across the border to recover il bv
force as soon as the grave can be located.
= The commanding officers all along the
] border have been instructed to redouhle
their vigilance to prevent any violation
3 Of neutrality at this time, but the bor-
. der is long and the guard is small. and
no attempt il being made TO minimize
this danger.
However, no additional troops will be
5 sent 10 the border at this time, although
D IL is understood here that a quiet tip
. has gone 10 four army posts where cav
8 airy regiments are stationed to be ready
! Continued on Page Tvo).