The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-23
CHANGE IN POLICY EXPECTED.
Benton Case Has Greatly Injure1
COnstitutiOuaIist Cause.

WASHINGTON, Feb. cs.--That the Ben.
ton case may prove TO be the turning
point in the attitude OF the United States
toward the Mexican problem was the
opinion expressed In many quarters here
to-day. II is now admitted by even high
officials that II is impossible to conceive
of the United States Government support
ing such man as Gen. Villa In the
Presidency or any other high place In
Mexico and that the whole Constitution
alist cause has suffered severe setback
a result. of Villas conduct
The Administrations policy Of watch.
full waiting over Mexico has created q
good deal OF unrest in Congress and de-
bates on the subject are likely to 10
heard IN both branches in the near future.
Out of respect for the Administration
Senators and Representatives have had
little To say about Mexico 50 far this
session
Members of Congress familiar with the
international situation express the belief
privately that the time is rapidly ap.
preaching when the Administration must
either intervene or recognize Huerta
AOupt 10 tAptcescu lllat lne
tion will ever recognize the present pro.
visional President of Mexico. Therefore
members believe tho President will adopt
what they believe the only other practical
acknowledgements
Secretary OF State Bryan va. a caller
at the White House to-day. He had a long
conference with President Wilson. II in
assumed tina, IL u in,
Officials seen to-day we're most pessi.
mistic over the outlook for any improve.
ment in the Mexican situation coming
through Gen. Villa and his army. The
hope that villa working under Carranza
would succeed IA exterminatine the
power of Huerta in Mexico and making
possible new arrangement OF the gov
eminent OF that country has now dvindcd
almost to the point OF disappearance
There If no expectation dscernible N
official quarters that cut OF the Benton
case will come any serious consequences
for the United states The belief in
growing thai Villas story will be ac.
cepted as approximately the truth and
that there wll'be therefore no pressure
brought to bear on the United States TO
action in Mexico. But though Villa
may establish IA legal case for himself
the impression already created In the
minds of members ~ Congress and
officials Is decidedly unfavorable and there
Is general agreement that while the
killing OF Benton might not have been
murder his execution WAS brought about
in a manner which does not commend
either Villa or his associates 10 the good
opinion OF the American Government or
people
bryan Has No Further News.
The State Department rested IN the
Benton case to-day, No dispatches Of
any significance in the case were re.
ceived at the Department, II was said
by officials, The complete mail reports
which have been forwarded by ConsuIs
Edwards and Carothers are now awaited
and until their receipt there will be no
action taken by the United States Gov.
eminent.
Mr. Bryan did not come 10 his Office al
all to-day. lie was advised by State De.
partment officials that no dispatches OF
Importance mad been received ana did no,
go to the Department. Other officials
made frequent visits to their offices. how
ever, but without result.
The State Department has no informa.