The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-02-25
MEXICAN SITUATION
GRAVE PROBLEM
OFFICIAL WASHINGTON STIRRED over
EXECUTION OF BRITISH SUBJECT
Warming of United States Un-
needed" by Villas Rebels.

| Washington, Feb. 2O.-A slumberine
Mexican sitution today was brought quick
ly to point Of intense international in
terest by the flash Of message saying
VIM. S. Benton, British subject, had beer
killed in Jaurez by order Of General Villa
| the rebel commander.
Sir Cecil-Spring Rice, british ambassador
conferred with Secretary Bryan about it;
President Wilson and his cabinet discuss,
ed it briefly, and the state department
ordered thorough Investigation by con-
sular representatives on the border. .
In this case, for the first time since the
present revolution began year ago, the
general warnting from the Unit States to
Mexican factions to protect foreigners,
went unheaded. thoug there is every evil
dence to show that both the British am
bassador and the state department were
advised too late of Benton's impending
fate to intercede specifically for him. The
news shocked officials generally who had
come to believe that Gen. Villa fully rea-
lized the position of the American govern
ment in regard to the protection Of foreign
ers in Mexico, particularly in the north Of
that country.
haven't sufficient facts on which to
base an opinion, said Secretary Bryan to-
day. Until have, the department will
express no opinion.
B This was the official view of the situa-
tion, with messages passing between the
state department and Consul Edwards and
his temporary assistant, &C. Carrothers,
consular representative at Torreon. Only
few details we're announced by the state
department. was that Benton had
been executed after trial. A copy Of the
sentence setting forth evidence in the case
was promised the consul. representatives.
Mr.. Bryan said full report Of the aeair
was on its way by mail from Consul Ed
wards, to whom General Villa personally
had explained the incident
The killing Of British subject under
circumstances such as dispatches from the
border portrayed, caused a stir In diplo-
matte circles. Those familiar with the
aggressive attitude Great Britain assumes
in pressing for repraration when her sub
jects have been wronged were inclined to
foresee interesting devoluments.
Discussion Of the case between the am
bassador and the secretary of state devel-
oped clearly the absence Of any reponsi-
bility on the part of the United States for
the killing Of British subjects even though
the investigation should prove it to have
been undjustifiable. The United States,
1t was asserted, had acted as friend, and
exerted every effor to save the mans life,
and the fact that though its consular Of
fees the American government might
have virtually recognized the de facto con-
troll Of Villa over a certain portion of
northern Mexica, it was held, In no wise
increased its liability for the addition OF
that individual,
The British government, through the
embassy, was informed that the state de-
partment Is waiting the mailed report up
on the tragedy from American Consul Ed
wards,
Though the report referred to is not like
ly to reach here for few days, details OF
the incident began to filter into the state
department in brief dispatches tonight.
The departure Of Gen. Villa for the south
was not looked on by officials here as
having any connection with the death of
Benton. The information which reached
the state department was that Villa had
been planning the move south for several
days.