The Topeka state journal., 1914-02-23

did not believe it would by any means
bring permanent peace TO Mexico. Da1 ~,
contented elements, they believe van
continue to prevail there until q polite
cal and economic readjustment has ta-
ken place inside that country. mo one
outside Of Mexico can accommodate her
AFFAIRS, according to the view OF tne
Washington government-and there -
nothing in sight to indicate that TINS
The United States since lifting the
embargo on arms has awaited the set
tlement of Mexico's civil strife by her
own warning factions without outside
interference. Military activity, now
ever, since then has not encouraged the
prospect Of quick settlement The
campaign by the cOnstitutionaI1sts
against Torreon has Jagged. The sug-
gestion that this is occasioned by
possible plan to form a new republic
out of the northern states Is not a new
one here. 1t has frequently been
brought into the discussion OF Mexican
affairs, often times with the sugges-
ton that those who were advocating
such a step in reality looked towards
annexation to the United States of the
northern part of Mexico. The vigorous
stand which president Wilson took in
his Mobile speech agains annexing any
more territory is recalled In this con-
nection. AS matter OF fact. the SUD
ject never has received the serious
consideration of odlcials here, because
there has been nothing in official re-
ports to show that the movement for
an independence republic had the sup
port either Of the executive chiefs or
the Mexican populace generally.
Administration Stin Waits.
Washington, Feb. 23.-President
Wilson and Secretary Bryan conferred
briefly today on various phases of the
Mexican situation. No announcements
were made after the conference, but
it il understood a report on the execu-
ton at Juarez of William s. Benton.
the British subject. is awaited before
the view of this government toward
the incident Is made known. 1t Is un-
derstood that Sir Cecil Spring Rice.
the British ambassador. has expressed
to the British foreign office his pleas
ure at the promptness with which the
American government has acted In
seeking to learn the truth about the
killing of British subject.
Full details of the execution are not
yet in the hands of state department
officials, but they are rapidly being
case hinges largely on whether or not
Benton went to General Villas head
quarters armed. Benton's friends deny
he carried weapons.
Upon the truth or falsity of Villas
statement that Benton tried to kill
him will depend the view which both
Great Britain and United States will
take of the affair. The prevalent be-
lief in official circles is that in the
absence of any satisfactory evidence
to the contrary, it will be difficult for
this government to reject Villas ver-
sion. To do so without satisfactory
proof to the contrary, 1t Is pointed out
by some officials. would be unneces-
sarily to provoke unfriendly relations
with the constitutionalist chief. who
is in control of such a vast adjacent
territory to the United States and
wherein are many foreigners, about
whose protection the United States Is
solicitous.
Meantime the constitutional agency
is active in issuing to the press tele-
grams from General Villa stating his
defense for the killing.
They are along the same lines as
previous messages and Villa asserts
toms pistol. Other kilograms to the
agency say Benton's record in Chihua-
hua was that of a quarrelsome man
and the charge is made that he was
guilty of having "mistreated poems on
his ranch to the extent of taking their
lives" -. ssss-s
Bauch Reported Alive.
Washington. Feb. 23.-secretary
Bryan has received word from Consul
Bauch, the German-American ru-
mored to have been executed by Cen
eral Villa. was alive and had been re-
moved to Chihuahua, where American
Consul Letcher had been instructed to
intercede for him.
Voice of British Press.
London, Feb. 23.-The Manchester
Guardian. Liberal paper. discussing
the killing Of William S. Benton, says:
1T is impossible not to suspect that
the execution of Benton was no better
than murder. 1t is difficult to draw
any other lesson except that Mexican
leaders still conduct warfare with the
President Wilson will be far from the
end Of his difficulties even though
General Huerta be driven from pow
err"
The Pail Mall Gazette says the exc
cution of Benton was murder most
FOUL
Their Fate Still in Doubt.
Ell Paso, Feb. 23.-The fate Of the
missing Englishmen, Laurence and
Curtis, and the Americana, Bausch and
Harry Compton, in Mexico. still is in
doubt today.
NO promise Is MADE tnat benton
body will be produced by Juarez au-
thorities
According to one version Of Benton
killing received today Villa himself
fired the fatal shot. Many Americans
believe Bausch was executed last week
but from Mexican sources it is report
ed that he is at Chihuahua where he
will be tried as a spy this week.
An American said he was present at
the Juarez Jail when an interview took
place between Bausch and Villa. He
quotes Villa as saying to Bausch: II
am going to kill all you red flaggers
and know you are one of them"
Commons Hears Official Report.