The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-02-24
Benton Affair Means Better
Protection for ForeignerS
WASHINGTON AWAITING CONFLICT REPORT BEFOy scSKINC
FURTHER ACT1ON-MEXICAN DISCUSSION II 80
SENATE TO BE BEHIND CLOSED DOOR
British Parliament Withholds Judgment Pending sc From
Washngton-Other Nations Keeping Close : a on
Situaton-No Neutral Zone a T0

WASHINGTON. Feb. 23.-Regard-
less OF whether or not the execution
Of William = Benton. a British sub.
iect. by General Villa was justified.
today's developments emphasized
clearly that protection OF foreigners
in rebellion torn Mexico had become
a commanding problem of increased
international importance. appreci.
ated no less by President Wilson
than by leaders in congress. Briefly
these were the days Developments +.
After "A conference with President
Wilson. Acting Chairman Shively OF
the senate foreign relations commit.
tee and members OF the committee
reached an understanding that the
Mexican question. II taken up i'm the
senate. should be discussed behind
closed doors.
Pending resolutions looking 10 bet.
ter protection for foreigners soon
will be taken up by the senate.
The discussion in the British par
Lament OF the Benton incident was
read with much interest by officials
who observed particularly that tho
United States was not held respon-
sible by Sir Edward Grey for the
death OF Benton.
The British embassy announced
that the British consul at Galveston.
Texas, had been ordered to FL Paso
To assist in the inquiry concerning
Benton, but In no way 10 interfere
with the American investigation.
Intimations were received through
semi-official channels that marines
would be landed by Japan and
France TO act as legation guards I'm
Mexico City along with those OF
Great Britain and Germany.
That the Iluerta government is
not averse TO the sending OF foreign
legation guards TO Mexico City is
known here officially, but the United
States, for the present. at least. will
not follow the course OF other ma
tions.
The whole tenor of the Mexican
situation, while revealing no unusual
activity. reflected the same anxiety
and perplexing tangles which often
have characterized IL during days OF
extreme tension.
Awaiting Report
Attention was chiefly focused on
the Investigation as To the manner In
which William s. Benton met death
at Juarez. but details of the AFFAIR are
still lacking. The report which had
been mailed by American consular
representatives at Juarez had not
reached here late today. IL il expected
tomorrow. Its contents have been an
ilcipated by telegraphic dispatches
giving Villas version of the affair. and
additional details are being sought
from General villa at chihuahua by
American Consul Letcher. The attempt
TO eNhume Benton's body. though un.
availing as yet. H. expected to bring
further evidence
Just what win be the final Judgment
OF the American officials in the case
no one viii predict. but II would not
ne surprising TO many i'm official cir
cles II Villas explanation went un
challenged in the absence of satisfac
tory proof with which TO impcach H.
That the American government may
pass on 10 Great Britain the facts as
found without indicating any iudg
ment AZ all I'm the matter is consId
cred by some diplomatists as a Iikel,
course. steps 10 secure better pro
lection for English nationals then are
expected TO follow and il is this fea
ture OF the case which is provoking
n discussion OF possible assertion
of policy on the part OF the United
states which might express itscl,
anew on the subject OF protection "a
foreigners
Urge Them TO Leave.
That Great Britain might urge hef
subjects 10 leave Mexico as did this
government is considered plausible
though there Is some ground for IN,
belief also that the American govern