New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-21
Supporters Think England
May Seize Occasion to
Urge Intervention.
GARDEN SAYS KILLING
is UNOFFICIAL AFFAIR
Dictator Sets Free Is Deputies
Whom He Imprisoned at Time
of Autumn Elections.


Mexico city. Feb. 2o-Fear was evident
tonight among government supporters
that on account Of the execution Of VIII
lam 6. Benton, British subject. ~ the
onstitutionalsts at Juarez the United
states will be forced by Great Britain 90
take some action that might lead to in
t.,vention.
Although since revolutionary conditions
assumed serious proportions. three Jears
AGO. there have been killed I'm various
parts Of the country some $50 Americans.
including participants on both sides of
the revolution, there are on record the
deaths OF only four Britishers, including
Benton. The three others were killed IN
districts where the chiefs Of neither FAC
ton had any direct authority. and Ben
toms is the first case whore IT appears
that culpabilty may be placed definitely.
Sir Lionel Garden. the British Min ster
has received no adVices concerning the
execution Of Benton and does n; expect
any except. perhaps. incidentally. since
i'm his opinion the case does not concern
the government to which he is accredited
Consular advices of the putting 10 death
Of Benton were received to-day at the
Foreign Office. where the news aroused
an attitude OF expectancy.
That the Constituencies had executed
a foreigner did not surprise President
Huerta. who always has insisted that
General Francisco Villa was an irrespon-
sibe leader, and certain sooner or later
TO bring about serious complications with
some foreign power.
Gossip has been current here for several
days that certain of the European powers
again were planning 10 urge the United
States to assume q more active policy in
restoring peace in Mexico. and many per-
sons to-day expressed the belief that the
Benton incident might be seized upon as
an opportunity 10 impress such view
upon the Washington government Nari-
Gus diplomats to-day intimated that they
would use the killing of Benton as the
basis Of reports 10 show their helpless
ness when it comes 10 protecting their
nationals in the greater part OF Mexico.
Fifteen more of the Deputies held in the
penitentiary since the dissolution OF Con-
gress last October were released to-day.
The most prominent among them are
Aouiles Elorduy and Armando Ostos. a
former Independent in the Opposition
under Diaz, Madero and Huerta- Ostos
is generally classed as a Maderista. An
other Deputy released is Jose Ines NO
veIo. a relative of the late Vice President,
Pine SuareZ.
Emissaries Of General villa offered
General Jose Refugio Nelasco 100000
pesos if he would surrender Torreon. We
lasco refused and shot the emissaries.
Zapatistas yesterday derailed passen-
ger train south Of Cuernavaca but dld
not attack it. The track was torn up for
some distance. General Olea, learning
that the Zapatstas concerned had con
centrated at Tejapa, attacked that VII
lage, known az a hotbed OF Zapatismo,
and took IT after sharp fighting. The
torch was applied as well as TO the
neiehboring village OF Jfntepec. a great
rendezvous for Zapatistas. The track
was repaired and traffic will be resumed
tomorrow.
Though from day 10 day rumors float
about as TO the imminence of a business
crisis, It does not materialize. Cndoubt-
edly merchants dealing chiefly in articles
of luxury are feeling the pinch of hard
times. owing to the great curtailment OF
public patronage. The same complaint is
made by provision dealers handling the
finer lines of imported goods, but in gen
eral the business situation does not yet
x.s .
the National Bank OF Mexico is reassur-
ing. its outstanding bills being well COW
cred by cash on hand. Dealers In I'M
ported goods. in calculating the exchange
premium Us a factor in retail prices, have
practically adopted a three-to-one basis.
there being no immediate prospect OF i'm
provement i'm exchange rates.