Evening star., 1914-04-06

patches affirming once more that the fed
eral government holds the key to the
military operations in the neiShborhood
Of Torreon, the outcome of which has
been misrepresented to the American
public: in spite of this campaign of mis-
information the Mexican government Is
confident that the final result of these
operations will be favorable to its work
OF pacification-
This attitude of the embassy, accord
ing to those best informed about at
fairs in Mexico: is due 10 the fact that
Huerta in Mexico City does not know
what is taking place throughout
Mexico and actually cannot be made TO
believe that the regime is in such pre-
carious condition. He does not realize.
they say. that he has for nearly week
been cut off from Torreon and that
dispatches he receives are old or ne
titious They claim he is sending out
optimistic statements. not approaching
the fact that the newspapers IN the
United States know the real facts bet
ter than he himself does. and that they
get daily reports from the scene OF
conflict while he has not had tele-
graphic communication with Iorreoh
for about a week.
The commission appointed by Gen
Carranza, the rebel leader. TO investigate
the death of William F. Benton. British
subject and Mexican ranch owner, Is
ready to make its report. From sources
in the confidence OF the constitutionalists
it was learned today that tins report
will exonerate Gen Villa OF any Part
IN the death of Benton and VIII place
the blame entirely upon Mai Rodolfo
Fierro. They say that this report VIII
show that Benton was not Killed IN
Juarez at ALL but on train at Sanaa-
ayuca. thirty-two miles south of Juarez
IN the way to chihuahua. where Villa
had ordered Benton sent for confinement.
Villa in a Fury.
The report will say that Maj. Fierro,
!ate superintendent OF railroads for Villa.
stabbed Benton to death and had him
buried in the soft sand at Samalayuca'
and that Villa had the body removed and
decently buried in Chihuahua.
1t will be stated that Villa was furi-
Gus when he heard that Fierro had taken
The matter in his own hands. contrary
70 Villas specific orders. and that Fierro
was arrested and Imprisoned pendlnS
orders from Carranza- y Mexican law
yer in Juarez. it is stated, persuaded
villa that Benton was undoubtedly
guilty of having previously murdered
several MeNicans. and of threatening the
life of Villa himself. This lawyer, 1t is
said. assured Villa that the affair could
ne hushed up through a posthumous
court-martial. Villa was at first op-
posed. but subsequently persuaded to
accept the idea. Later he realized that
an error had been made, and decided to
let the truth be known
The report from FL Pa-so that any
telegraphic correspondence took place
between Gen. CarranZa and Gen. Villa
involving the question of jurisdiction or
authority of either is branded as false
nv cons:itutionalist officials. They say
that Villa makes daily reports 10 Car
ranza in precisely the same way as any
commanding officer in the field reports
his movements to his chief.
No Change of Policy.
There has been little discussion thus far
among officials of any change of policy as
a result of the battle of Torreon. No re-
quest for recognition of belligerency has
come from Gen. Carranza. though pub
lished reports have credited him with a
desire to seek formal recognition of the
constitutionalist movement from the
United States government. The disposi-
tion of administration officials is not to
discuss the question until it is raised.
Developments in Mexico City are being
watched with keen interest by Washing
ton officials. but no definite advices have
as Yet been received as to what effect the
defeat at Torreon has had upon Gen.
.Huerta and his administration.
Reports reaching Washington from the
border last night that Japan had with
drawn its recognition of the Huerta gov
ernn1ent were characterized as ridiculous
and nonsensicar' at the Japanese en-
bassy.
Revolution in Mexico has not disturbed
the trade relations between the southern
repub ic and the United States. a
report OF the Department of Commerce
ciai transactions between the countries
during the past year. Mexico's foreign
trade amounted to s24S.oO0,O0O The
United States received II per cent of the
S1p.OoO.oOO involved in exports and 80
per cent of the sss.ooooo0 of imports.