Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-02-22
SAY BENTON TRIED
TO MURDER VILLA
CONTINUED from First Page.)

Juarez, where the Staying of William
Benton. a British subject. has focused
the attention of Great Britain on the
civil war in Mexico, brought considerable
information in regard to the dead man
hitherto unpublished.
These reports show that Benton had
been a resident of Chihuahua for many
years. where he had accumulated con-
siderable property and had married a
native woman. He is stated to have
been known as a partisan of Porhrio
Diaz, and a close friend of the leading
cientificos. including the Ierrazas family
and others equally offensive TO the con-
stitutionalists.
When Diaz was overthrown Benton ts
reported TO have become the bitter critic
and enemy Of the new CMadero) govern,
ment, and is said to have expressed
great satisfaction when Madero was
Huerta Since that time. the consdtu-
tionalists state Benton never lost OPP
portunity to give information to Huerta
and his officers regarding the movement
of constitutionalist forces.
Benton Accused of Murder.
1t is Furthermore charged by the con-
stitutionalsts that Benton shot several
inoffensive Mexicans, who were known
to be sympathizers with Villa. AT least
I'VE men," the telegram from Juarez
states, were killed by Benton, and as
many more wounded"
As the constitutionalist movement IN
Chihuahua grew. the telegram says; sen
ton, because of his acts. was compeiieo 70
leave his ranch and seek re1use m -
Paso Otherwise, it is said. he Wouio
have been put to death by the people m
the vicinity. Two weeks ago. in FL Paso:
it is stated. he sought the AID OF one VI
Villas representatives. also foreigner.
and told him he wished to fix matters up
with Gen. Villa SO that he might return.
Villa, it is stated, when approached on
this subject. declared that 1t would oe
unfortunate should Benton return 70 ms
properties in view of the hostility OF the
people, and that he would prefer tnat
Benton remain. in Ell Paso until further
advised Benton is said by the constitu-
tionalists to have been a man OF most
violent character, and it is declared tnat
he then uttered threats that he Woulo
get" Villa one way or another. ana that
Furthermore, these threats were openly
repeated on several occasions.
Smarted Under Refusal.
Benton, it is declared by the constitu-
tionalists, smarted under Villas refusal
to give him a safe conduct. and became
SO Infatuated that he decided to take
Villas life in revenge. Irrespective
whether this is true or not. it is certain
that he managed to get over to Juarez
unseen and. suddenly entering Villas
house, found the latter seated at his desk.
After few words of alteration, II Is
stated, he drew his revolver for the pur-
pose Of shooting the general. Villa, the
dispatches say. was not caught unaWares.
and seizing his own revolver. he struck
Benton blow on the head. telling him
to the ground. He Is stated to nave then
personally disarmed him. called guard
and had him taken to Jail.
A military commission. it is declared,
was Immediately convened. before which
Benton is said to have been brought and
charged with aiding the enemy and at
tempting the life of the commanding gen.
eTal The commission found him guilty.
1t is stated. and sentenced him to death.
which sentence Gen. Villa approved. and
Benton is said thereupon to have been
executed.
Constitutionalist representatives in
Washington assert that information in
their possession shows clearly and be-
yond any doubt whatsoever that 1t was
the express purpose of Benton to XIII
Gen. Villa, believing that by reason Of
his foreign citizenship he could escape
the consequences.
Benton Became Enraged.
1t is further asserted as susceptible
of proof that when Benton appeared
before Villa and cursed him. Villa re-
piled with great self-command that as
he did not deem 1t prudent to allow
Benton to return to his ranch he would
buy his property, at reasonable fig
ure. and pay cash for it. thus avoiding
all possible complications. 1t was at the
prospect Of leaving Mexico that Benton
became enraged and drew his revolver,
it is said
The execution OF Benton. the consti-
tutionalists declare. was in strict ac-
cord with the laws and usages Of war,
and was in strict harmony with article
IS of general order 100. for the govern
ment Of the armies Of the United States
In the field. which provides that when
persons within occupied territory EN-
ploy violence toward the established
authorities they are subject to the
penalty of death. There are numerous
other presidents, the constitutionalists
claim. involving the execution of for
eigners as we'll as natives, during the
civil war in the United States, which
clearly demonstrate the right of a
belligerent to adopt extreme measures
Cor his own protection.
Benton's Death Arouses