Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1914-03-03
IT WILL NOT SEND TROOPS
SUCH AS THING is FANTASTIC"
ACCORDING TO FOREIGN
SECRETARY
AMERICA is NOT BLAMED
DEMAND BY THIS COUNTRY FOR
PUNISHMENT, HOWEVER,
WOULD BE APPROVED


London. March Sir Edward
Grey, the British foreign secretary,
discussed the Mexican situation in
the house of commons today In re-
My to a question regarding the death
at Juarez Of William S. Benton, the
British ranchman, Sir Edward said;
4 must ask leave Of the house to
make a somewhat more extended
statement than can properly be com
pressed within the limits Of an an
swer to a question. ALI efforts have
failed to procure an investigation into
the facts respecting the death OF Will
liam S. Benton. The persistent diff
culties put in the way create the
strongest presumption Of desire and
an intention to conceal the truth on
the part of those in Mexico who are
responsible for what has happened.
Communications with the govern
ment Of the United States are still
proceeding, but these communications
don't imply that the government OF
the United States has any responsible
ity for the death Of Benton. While
therefore. we shall welcome any ac-
tion that the United States is pre-
pared to take to obtain justice, we
have no title to demand as right
that the United States should itself re-
sort to the use Of force.
$50 far the United States has
shown at least as much interest in
the death in Mexico Of a British sub
ject as it has in the case Of outrages
on American citizens--for under
stand that several Americans have
been killed in Mexico And the Unit
ed States has shown every desire to
use its influence to obtain protection
for British subjects in the Mexican
territory controlled by those described
as constitutionalists.
81 would therefore sum up the situ-
alton by saying that if the United
States thinks it proper to take fur
ther steps either in behalf of its own
citizens or Of a British subject, we
will gladly wait the result. But If for
reasons of it's own sae United States
does not think it desirable to take
such steps, we must, of course, re-
serve to ourselves the right to bring
about reparation whenever there is
opportunity to do SO.
"The death Of British subject and
the refusal by. those in Mexico to al
low the circumstances to be investi-
gated make it incumbent ON us to do
what we can in our own behalf
Assuming that the United States
does not itself desire to take any re
sponsibility for intervention, It has
been urged on me that we should
take immediate action, without, how
ever, giving me any suggestion OF in
dication Of what action we can take
at the moment. must repeat what
said last week-that there is nothing
We can do effectively under present
conditions.
1--WE have no intention Of engaging
in such fantastic attempt as the
sending of a force which to be ef
fective would have to be a very large
force-into any part Of Mexico. But
we don't intend to let the affair rest
and as soon as by any change Of cir
cumstances 1t is in our power to take
further action we shall take wha'
ever steps may be practicable
Replying to another question, 81
Edward Grey said that Great Britain
had not recognized General villa as
Belligerent. A further question brough
the statement from Sir Edward tina
no assurances had been obtained from
Provisional President Huerta regard
ing the protection Of British subject
in Mexico.
American Policy Unchanged
VVaehinofon March o-Sir Tionp