New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-04
IENCLAND Will
AVENCE BENTON
But Will Patiently Await
Further Action by
United States.
HAS NO THOUGHT
OF INTERVENTION
Sir Edward Grey Tells Commons
English Demonstration Would
Be Fantastic.

Dc IdUtdStIS.
London. March S.--The British govern
ments view that no immediate action
could be taken by II in connection with
the deadlock over the investigation into
the death at Juarez OF William s. Benton.
the British ranchman. was made plain TO
day in the House OF Commons by ST.
Edward Grey. the British Foreign Secre-
tary. Sir Edward was. however. equally
explicit in pointing out that II Great
Britain failed 10 secure satisfaction
through the United States the British gov
eminent reserved 10 itself the right 10 Sc
cure reparation whenever IL was able TO
90 So
The announcement from the Foreig1
Secretary had been anxiously awaited. II
was delivered before a keeny interested
gathering OF the members OF the Com
mons, while the entire nation looked for
ward TO a declaration Of the governments
policy I'm regard 10 Mexico.
Intense resentment has been displayed
throughout the British Isles over what IL
regarded as an attempt by vonustiano
Carrsnza. the Constitutionalist leader in
Mexico. TO sow dLscord between the Brit
ish Empire and the United States. and
also over the repeated delays in the in
Nestigation Of the death OF Benton.
All Efforts Fruitless.
In reply 10 the question as 10 the In
vestigation Of the Benton case, SIR Ed
ward said
''1 must ask leave OF the House 20 make
somewhat more extended statement than
can properly be compressed within the
limits OF an answer 10 question.
"All the efforts that have been made
hitherto have failed 10 secure an invest-
Of William :. Benton
'"rhe persistent difficulties put in the
way OF such an investigation create the
strongest presumption OF a desire and an
intention 10 conceal the truth on the par,
OF those In Mexico who are responsible
for what has happened.
Communications with the government
of the United States are still proceeding.
but ! would repeat what 7 said last week.
that these communications do not Imply
that the government OF the United States
has any responsibility for what has taken
place-by which mean, OF course, the
death of Benton
Cannot Demand Resort to Force.
While, therefore, we shall welcome any
action that the United States is prepared
to take to secure justice. we have no title
10 demand RS a right that the United
States should itself resort 10 the use OF
force
"One can demand that another govern
ment should 60 TO all lengths 20 secure
reparation for a crime only when one
holds that government in some way re-
sponsible for the commission OF the crime
so far the United States has shown a.
least as much interest In the death in
Mexico Of British subject as II has in
the case OF outrages on American citi-
zens--for understand that several Amer
leans have been killed in Mexico. And
the United States has shown every desire
10 use it's influence TO secure protection
for British subjects IN the Mexican terri
tory controlled by those described as Con
stitutionalists
II would therefore sum up the situation
by saying that IL the United States thinks
it proper to take further steps either on
behalf Of its own citizens or OF British
subject, we will gladly await the result.
But If, for reasons Of its own, the United
States does not think it desirable TO take
such steps we must OF course, reserve 10
ourselves the right TO secure reparation
whenever there is an opportunity 10 do so
our general policy toward Mexico and
the Central and South American republics
is confined TO commercial interests, which
we keep within non-politicai limits. As
rule, therefore, all questions that arise
between those republics and ourselves are
settled by diplomatic means or can be re-
ferred TO arbitration.
England Must Do What She Can.
But the violent death OF q British sub
iect and the refusal by those responsible
in Mexico 10 allow the circumstances 10
be investigated. make II incumbent upon
US TO do what we can on our own behalf
Assuming that the United States de-
sires not itself to take any responsibility
for Intervention. II has been urged upon
me that we should take immediate action,
without. however giving me any sugses-
ton or indication OF what action we can
take at the moment.
II must repeat what | said last week
that there is nothing We can enectlveIy
do under present conditions.
The government in Mexico City has no
control over the territory where the deatn
OF Benton took place. nor over those re-
sponsible for his death. We cannot
therefore, under the present circum-
stances secure reperation through that
government.
We have no intention OF engaging IN
what on our part would be such fan
tastic attempt as the sending OF force
which to be effective would have TO be
a very large force-into any part Of Mex
leo.
Action Would Aid Rebels.
Under ordinary circumstances We might
have taken action at port or by way
OF blockade Under present conditions. if
we took su,h action and IT had any effect
IL could only result I'm giving assistance TO