El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-02-28
Rebels To Test Aerop1ane
BENTON'S FRIENDS
SEE THE CONSUL
British Official Is Quietly Conducting
Investigation into the Case Of
His COuntrymau.

Ills AOuMlEs AALlAM
During the forenoon British consul
Chas. Arthur PerceVal in his room saw
George Curry, Richard Dudley and the
Huerta consul Miguel DiebOld, sta
toned in this city.
MI PerceYal thanked them for their
offers Of assistance and said that later
ne might call upon them.
Gen. Scott a Caller.
Friday afternoon Gen. Hugh L. Scott
called formally on the British visitor
thus affording him an opportunity to
ask for any assistance within the pow
er Of the general to render. 1t was
learned from an apparently reliable
source that PerceVal did not breach the
subject Of his mission here, and for that
reason 1t did not come UP at all
George c. CarOthers, Of the American
consular service, gobetween of the state
department and Villa, and Thomas D.
Edwards, American consul at Juarez.
held themselves in readiness to respond
to any invitation from Mr.. Perceva1 to
call, or for instructions from Washing
ton to DO so, but none came.
Many Callers.
Among Mr. PerceVaIs visitors who
were recognized were George Curry
chairman of the mass meeting which
was held here a week ago to protest
against the treatment of foreigners in
Mexico James Hambledon, a prominent
British subject long resident in Mexi-
CO, but now a refugee; Mrs. William S.
Benton, widow of the man who was
slain, and William Benton, a cousin
of the former. There were others, but
they could not be identified.
Curry and HambledOn gave MI. Per
ceVal a list Of witnesses whom they
suggested he might wish to interrOgate.
It is believed that Mr. PercevaPs indie
pendent attitude is based on his eXpec-
tation of evidence from secret service
men employed directly by the British
government.
COnfrOnts Harassing Problem.
Unless no has .cUrh assistance ST
asserted that he will confront the same
harassing problem Of conflicting stories
which has been the despair of all previ-
Gus investigators, official and other
instance, that a Mexican witness to the
killing of Benton could be obtained by
paying 5000. The official to whom this
offer was made replied that for $2OO
he could get as many different stories
Of the killing as he wanted, cQlOred any
way he wanted them. The bid was re-
jected.
Must Get New Witnesses.
If the only known witnesses are
summoned by Mr.. Perceval, he will
learn nothing that has not been pub
consistent. There were, of course, wit J
1esses to the tragedy, but stories cred :
tied to them and reaching Americans /
after several repetitions, vary from
statements that villa shot Benton TO !
assertions that an aide of the rebel !
leader stabbed him IN the back.
It was reported today that q rug
which was in Villas office when Ben I
ton called, disappeared the next day.
Local undertakers express the opin- /
ion that BentOn's body by this time has /
so far decOmpOsed that an examination I
will be productive OF no defi- (
mite evidence of his death It was 4
doubtful, they said, If at this time a /
stab wound could be distinguished from /.
0ne made by bullet
Looking for Compton.
4 o7srHu fc q
from Chihuahua and is bending his en- +
srgies toward ascertaining the facts in /
he case of Harry Compton, an Amerp- 1
,an said to be imprisoned at Ojianga- !
Sergeant Major School.
Sergt Maj. g. H School, Of the AL /
0erta rangers, who says that he is with |
Villas Orces and writes to friends in I
B. G that Benton was killed I
ov his own rashness, is well known in /.
81 Paso. He was here three weeks and /
boarded at 401 Montana street. He !
claimed to be lecturing and wore the 4
Uniform of his former command here. /
Ie was at Preside during the battle of !
Dina "a and then came to FL PasO and /
gave The Herald a description of the /
lighting. He left for San Diego, Whero (
ne said he was going to give a series /
IF lectures. Friends Of his have had /
etters from him in California and they /
Knew nothing of his being with Villa.
Schools Story.
He is quoted in a letter to the News Z
Advertiser, of Vancouver, as declaring |
hat Benton forced himself into Villas
private office, brushing aside the SEN I
.ry who tried to stop him and that he .
entered armed and in a clustering tone I
demanded payment for stolen cattle.
When ordered out he refused to 20, /
he letter says, and shouted that he
would stay there until hell freezes /
lVer."
Villa. according to Sergt. School, !
hereupOn ordered the soldiers to throw
Benton out and a scUffle ensued, in the 4
course of which Benton was shot
I'VE are all very sorry" adds School, /
but we fear he brought his career to a
lose by his own stubborn rashness"