The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-01
CARAVANS DEFIANT NOTE.
Tells bryan How lie stand, n,
BentOn Case,

NoGALEs. Sonora, Feb ga defiant
stand against the United States in regard
TO the death Of w. $. Benton has been ns
sumed by Gen. Carranza. head of the Con,
stitutionalists, who sent word to the S.a.s
Department that he declines to furnish
any information to the United States
Government regarding Benton on the
ground that the rancher was an English
subject.
Gen. Carranza refused to discuss the
matter. but IL Is known he believes tho
English Government should have made
direct representation to him. He Is said
to have exercised surprise that. despite
England's recognition of the Huerta Cow
eminent, the American State Department
should have preached the Benton matter
to the Constitutionalists in behalf of the
British Foreign Office.
Gen. Carranza also refused TO discuss
the refusal OF Gen. villa to surrender
Benton's body, asserting that he had not
fully Investigated that phase OF the case.
Senior Fabela, acting Foreign Minister
in the rebel cabinet, said;
Gen. Carran2a has officially Informed
the Department of State at Washington
that he could attend to representations r.
garding the Benton case only it they wer,
presented To him by duly authorized
representative of the British Government
Gen. Carranza's attitude in the Ben
ton and Bauch cases goes to prove clearly
that what he desires Is to have the IA.
tional dignity and his position as supreme
chief OF the Constitutionalist army re
spected but at the same time ne doe,
not wish. by any means. to elude represen-
tations made 10 him in due form and
according to international law"
Rebel Chiefs Reply.
Gen. Carrauza sent letter to-day TO
United States Consul Simpich for trans
mission 10 Secretary Of State Bryan re-
garding the request OF the state Depart
ment for Information concerning the
death of Benton and the Disappearance
, OF Gustav Bauch.
The text OF Gen. Carranza's reply about
the Benton incident is:
"Iu reply to the Unofficial representa-
/ ton which you made 10 ne yesterday in
the name of the Department OF State Of
/ the United States. | have to inform you
! as follows:
81 have already on other occasions in
/ formed you. go that you may commun!-
I cate IL to your Government. thlI IA order
/ 20 enable he executive powc" under lay
| chails to attend to repres. ntatt Jns rc'a
/ tl.. 10 foreigners residing in this country
". hin the territory under thu lu'isd rii N
. OF C,n~ttItChtllst authorites, thai s'l n
| = ur, sensations must bc mad" hN repre-
| sentatiyes authorized by their respective
/ 4, a, nj communion 4 ts1 direct y
to me AS supreme chief Of IN" tunstltu-
/ oualist army through the Department
! of Foreign Affairs attached 70 she
! executive power.
therefore, in order to be consistent
with my policy, as above outlined, wish
to inform YOU that ! snail be only too
pleased to consider any representations
made In the case OF the British subject
william S, Benton, provided, of course,
/ that IL may be made directly to me by q
| representative OF the British Government
with reference to this case. and in
order to show the spirit of justice which
animates the Constitutionalist Govern
ment, / think II advisable to repeat here
what ! have already told you and other
authorities OF the United states and stated
publicly through the press
To Protect Foreigners.
THE Constitutionalst Government rec
ognlzes the rights OF all foreisners-as
provided for by the decree OF May Is
i9l3---to claim losses and damages al
ready suffered by them or which the,
may continue to suffer during the present
civil strife l. e.. since February 10, 1913
until the restoration of constitutions
order in Mexico.
.'The above.is' evidenced by your hon
orable Secretary OF State william zen
nings Bryan, who dos me Justice IN
his second telegram of y"stcrday ad
dressed to you, wherein he appreciate
my efforts in cudeavorlng TO protect ia,
lives and properties OF foreigners mas
much as have always respected in ny
character as supreme chief ol The Co."