The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-03-04
AWAIT CARRiNlA'S PLEASURE.
No EXAMINATION WILL RE AL.
LOWED OF BENTON'S BODY
All PRESENT.
New Complication in Ncxcd situation
Causes Wilson ami Bryan to Confer
Secretary Visits British Ambas-
sador After Word From CHIEF.

NVh' the bIItISn SUBJECT executed by
Gen. villa at Juarcz. will be made by
the commission composed of Ameri-
can and British government represen-
tatives pending the outcome of an ex-
change Of notes between Gen. Car
rama. ef ef of the Mexican constitu-
tionalists. and the United States gov
srnmenI.
Gen. Carranza's declaration that
Great Britain instead of the United
states should deal with him concern
ing the death OF British subject.
coupled with the broad intimation
that all communications on interna-
tional affairs first should be addressed
To him instead Of 20 Gen. Villa or any
ether subordinate. injected new
complication into the situation and
the expedition TO chihuahua, ar
ranged to start from El Paso today.
was postponed.
President Wilson and Secretary
Bryan conferred most OF the after
noon. reading the notes from Car
rama and other dispatches. After
wards Secretary Bryan motored TO the
British embassy and informed Sir
Cecil SpringRice. British ambassa-
dor. that the expedition to Chihua-
hua. where Benton's body is buried.
had been abandoned until satisfac-
tory arrangements could be made
with Gen. Carranza.
Just what instructions have been
sent to American Consul simpich al
Nogales. who is in touch with Gen.
Carranza. were not divulged. but rep
resentatives of Carranza who under
stood the American viewpoint were
busy telegraphing the constitutional
list commander tonight. urging n
change OF attitude. Carranza's S
friends here believe he does not un-
derstand exactly the positio1 OF the
United states with references to all
foreigners in Mexico and are seeking
to impress upon him that when deal
ing with the United states he is, in
effect. treating with the agent OF
Great Britain, as England and other
powers have practically entrusted to
the Washington government the task
OF looking after their subjects in
northern Mexico. particularly at
points where there are no British
consuls.
That Carranza will realize this and
change his attitude Is the confident
expectation of his friends here. Wash
ington officials said they did not inter
pret Carranza's notes as unfriendly.
That Carranza really was offended be-
cause the United States addressed its
first communications about the Ben
ton killing to American consuls in
touch with Gen. villa was the gen
orally accepted explanation here OF
his declnatlon To submit information
to Washington about Ecnton's death
The principle which the American
government has been following in
dealing with Gen. Villa and others has
been one Of practical cxpcdicncy. It's
course has b.cn To make representa-
tion quickly through American con-
suls to the authorities. civil or mill
tary. who happened to be in dc facto
control OF the region where the dan
ger lay. Instances or this were the
representations made about foreign
ers at Torreon and Tampico.
In some quarters Carranzl's sug-
gestiOn that ne should be first ad-
dressed was regarded as a bid for
formal recognition. The American
government, however IL was stated on
the highest authority. holds that rec
ognition could be extended only
through formal announcement and
expressed intention, rather than
through any casual relationship. In
dealing with Cen. Carranza il is felt
here ;hc United states merely is con-
suiting the man whom Villa SAYS he
Acknowledges as chief.
I'm the view ot many officials here.
Carranza desired b. his notes To- inn
press upon The world the cohesion it
the constitutionalist movement. Ills
assertion of authority over Villa,
which in many Instance has boon
doubted. is one of thc phases or th,
situation which the development. or
the next few days now were expected
TO clarity.
On the assumption that C1rranza is
the chief ~ the movement. 10 is more
than likely now that it tho American
government ON behalf or Great Brit
ain seeks reparation for the Ecuton
killing. approximations will lc malc
directly To him. Failure or inability ot
Carranza to comply would lc regard
ed as having an important bearing ou
the relation pf Tho Ir,,t.I -stt.,... ,.....-