The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1914-02-27
AMERICAN SLAM;
QRDERFORRELEEAssEE
COMES TOO LATE
Mexican Federals Hang U. S.
Man at Hidaig0.
VILLA DEFIES GREAT BRITAIN
Rebel Leader Asserts That He Will
Not Permit the Removal of Ben
sons Body From Republic
Rebels Capture Gunhoat.

Laredo, Tex, Feb. 25.--Clemente
Nergara, an American citizen, has
been murdered near Hi6algo. Mexico,
according to information received
here. Vergara was taken prisoner by
Mexican federals a few days ago, but
his release was demanded and the
federal commander at Pedras Niegras
had ordered him freed.
Later he was found hanged on a
tree near Hidalgo, and it is believed
that he was executed after the order
for his release had been issued.
Federal Gunboat Surrenders.
Nogales, Sonora, Feb. 25.-The fed
eral gunboat Tampico, with crew, vol
unfairly surrendered to the constitu-
tionalist officials at Topolobampo, say
official dispatches received from the
south. This gives the insurgents their
first armed vessel.
Villa Refuses to Give Up Body.
Washington, Feb. 25.-What Cen
eral Villa purposes to do about the re-
quest Of the United States that he
deliver up the body Of William S. Ben
ton, British subject, executed by him
at Juarez, was an open question today.
Secretary Bryan accepted a mes
sage from the constitutionalist chief
to consular agent Carothers at Juarez
as a promise that the body would be
turned over to American authorities.
The message said the body would be
delivered, "but not at this time
State department officials, however,
made public this announcement later:
american consul at Chihuahua re-
ports that Villa declines to deliver
Benton's body, but will permit widow
or relatives to visit cemetery with
American representatives; that for
their benefit he will order elimination
Of body, which then will be reinforced
in grave from which 1t is removed" B
Villa is now at Chihuahua. Consul
Letcher will be asked for details of.
his reply.
Wounds May Clear Mystery.
From the character Of the wounds
in Benton's body physicians will be,
able to say whether Benton was killed
by a pistol shot, as his friends cons
tend, or by firing squad, as Villa
asserts.
Developments were many in the
situation that has arisen out OF the
killing of Benton. Secretary Bryan
asked American consular representa-
tive at Nogales to confer with General
Carranza about the affair. The secre-s
tary talked with Acting Chairman
Shively Of the senate foreign relations
committee and twice with President
Wilson.
Huerta Men Hang u. S. Citizen.
News of the hanging of Clemente
Vergara, the American citizen, by
Mexican federals near Nuevo Laredo,
Mex, directed attention to the Huerta
government on the subject of protec-
ton for foreigners. representations
in behalf of Vergara was made by the
state department some time ago, but
no information about his whereabouts
or the reported execution had been
received.
Consul Letcher reported his inabil-
ity to locate Gustav Bauch in Chi
huahua, although Villa had been
quoted as saying that Bauch was
transferred from Juarez to the Chi
huahua Jail.
The senate foreign relations COM
mittee met today to consider the
Mexican problem.
Lewis Sees Joint Invasion.
Kansas City, Mo-, Feb. 25.-Joint ac-
ton by the United States, England,
Germany and France to restore peace
in Mexico, similar to that taken by
the powers during the Boxer troubles
in China, is not a remotei .pQssibility
in the opinion Of Senator % pes Ham
ilton Lewis of Illinois, WIZ came to
Kansas City to address the Bar asso-
citation at its annual banquet in the
Hotel Baltimore
Villa Defies U. S. and Britain.
Chihuahua, Mex, Feb. 25.-General
Villa has given out the following state
ment to the press:
Representations have been made to
ul0 ny Lie AncTiCStl COuSul OI CQlS
city to the effect that must at once
give orders that William s. Benton's
body be delivered into the hands Of
his family. This / will not do. told
Mr.. Marion F. Letcher, the American
consul, that was very willing to have
representatives of Great Britain, the
United States or Benton's family
come down and see the body which
buried in the local national GENE
terry. but out of respect to the dead.
could not permit the body to leave
Mexico.
s.Benton's body was brought to Chi
huahua on my own train, encased In
2 fine coffin. and was buried next day
with ell honors, including services Of
followers, etc, and cross to mark
the grave
The Is Americans and other foreign
ers ordered deported from Chihuahua
by General villa viii be sent from
Chihuahua to Juarez on todaF's train