Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1914-03-06
KILLING PUT
UP TO HUERTA
Reparation Demanded For Hang
ing American Citizen
DICTATOR APPEALS FOR AID

Sends Memorandum Urging That Ship
mont of Arms to Rs6e,s se Stopped
and Seeking to Reopen Negotiations.
Secretary of State Bryan announced
that a demand had been sent to the
Huerta government In Mexico City,
calling for the punishment OF the Fed
eral soldiers responsible ior the death
OF Clemente Vegara, an American cltl-
zen.
Following the meeting of the caDl-
net, it was announced that the United
States government regarded the Kill
Ing Of Vegara, near Hidalgo, Mexico,
as a subject for reparation by the
Huerta government.
The cabinet discussed practically
nothing but Mexican affairs, dispatches
being read from the United States
consul, Marion Letcher, at Chihuahua,
saying General Villa would give per.
mission for complete medical exami-
nation Of the body Of William ). Ben
ton, the British subject, at Chihuahua
City.
While the Benton incident was dis
cussed in detail, members OF the caol-
net were particularly concerned over
the hanging Of Vegara. That act
they believed had shocked the Ameri-
can people and should not go unpun-
ished.
Steps will be taken to impress upon
the Huerta government the feeling OF
the United States in this case, par
ticularly after repeated assurances
had been given by the Federals that
Vegara would not be harmed.
So far as could be learned, the cabi-
net was not inclined to condone the
killing of Benton, but in discussing re-
sponsibility for the act, some members
were inclined to think Benton at least
was indiscreet in going into the camp
of a military commander, with whom
he was not on friendly terms, and en-
tering into a heated argument with
him.
Final Judgment was not reached as
to the merits of the Benton case, but
1t was apparent that vigorous steps
to obtain the body for his widow would
be continued.
What was looked upon as an at
tempt by Huerta to use the Benton
case as lever to reopen negotiations
and possibly reach more friendly
basis with the United States govern
ment. was the submission OF an ap-
peal by the Huerta government for the
reconsideration by the United States
of the recent raising Of the embargo
On the shipment of arms into Mexico,
which has been Of greatest benefit to
the rebels, and of little or no import
ance to the Federals. -.
This memorandum, news adV1ces
have it, was addressed in Mexico City
to the Washington government, and
copies were delivered to the members
Of the diplomatic corps In the Mexi-
can capital.
While putting blame for the killing
Of Benton, inferentially. upon the
United States, the feature Of the COM
munication, as viewed here, Is the al
legation that state of anarchy now
exists in so much Of Mexico as Is oc-
eupied by the rebel forces.
It Is also charged that the immediate
effect of the decree permitting the ex-
portation of arms has been to place
the rebels in favorable situation for
committing or permitting outrages,
while preventing the Huerta govern
ment from repressing them as quickly
and as energetically as 1t desires.
r The telegram from Letcher to Sec
rstary Bryan stated that Villa would
permit two Americans, two British
representatives and two members OF
the family of William s. Benton to
view the body of the dead ranchman.
Letcher also reported that General
villa would permit two physicians To
accompany the Americans and British
representatives and members Of tho
Benton family, and that he would fur
nish transportation and accomlnoda-
tons for all Of them.