Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1914-02-21
MASS Meeting SUPPRESSED
INDIGNATION SWEEPS THE BOR-
DER LIKE A PRAIRIE FIRE
IN FULL BLAST.
few DETAILS ARE KNOWN
Believe British Government viii Take
Summary Action to Avcngc MUIR
der of Its subject.

IL pASO. Tex, Feb. 2C.-TW o
more Englishmcn are reported as
having disappeared" in Juarez. The
report came tonight from Samuel Ste
war, who says the men, John Law
renee and II companion named Curtis,
went TO JuarcZ Wednesday TO search
Tor William = Benton.
stewart tonight expressed the fear
that tlicN, like Benton, had been shot.
Gustav Ranch, who was ON trial for
being II spy, also disappeared in JaG-
Icz today. Thomas ID. Edwards.
American consul at Juarez, said that
when friends of BGuCh went TO visi!
hiw with bedding and food he was
NOT IN the cell where he had been
held inCOmmuniCado since last Sunday
while his trial was being held
stewart with Major lIOlmdahl of
Villas stare was permitted To search
the jails and guard houses of JunreZ
today, but found no trace of the two
missing Englishmont. Lawrence Is
chief engineer of the California De-
Nc!opmcnt company and came here on
Il vacation from Yuma, according to
Stewart
Stewards status here is not exactly
clear, though he told "A cirCumstan-
tial story of his search for the missing
men. At first he gave the name OF
Thompson, but when told that his
name would be published he said he
was known here as Stewart lie is
an Englishman and said he had scrv-
ed In South Africa as Lieutenant in
the lard artillery. He wore South
African and Orange Free state medals
with several service bars.
Lawrence, he said went TO school
with Benton in England. Curtis, hc
said, also was an Englishman by birth
hut now Is the owner of "A ranch in
New Mexico.
Reports were numerous today that
Baucb would be shot. Consul Edwards
Is confident Bauc;I was not removed
10 chihuahua, as he watched the train
depart this morning with Gen. villa
Oh board.
Stewart quoted rebel officer.
whose name he did not learn, as re-
marking 'well, we've gotten rid of
three more gringocs."
Ell PASO, Texas, Feb. 20.-A storm
Of indignation broke today along the
border when 1t became known that
William s Benton, a British subject,
and wealthy land owner in Mexico,
had been executed by rebels in Juarez
after he had made a protest to Cen
eral Francisco Villa about alleged de-
predations Of the cOnstitutionalists A
mass meeting was held and resolutions
were passed, censuring the state de-
partment at Washington for its alleg
ed suppression Of the consular report
of the Benton case, and calling on
congress to demand from the depart
ment of state a full record of alleged
crimes and outrages against foreign
ers in Mexico.
The meeting came as the climax OF
day of excitement. caused by the
news of the death of Benton. The
meeting was first called for Cleveland
Square, but Mayor Kelly. in a letter
to George Curry, former governor of
New Mexico, asked him to rent a hall,
as he regarded an open meeting as
dangerous. The mayor said he would
suppress any attempt to hold the
meeting In the open. \ theatre was
rented and messengers turned the
crowd from Cleveland Square to the
building.
Former Governor George Curry of
New Mexico, was the principal speak
er. He was named a committee Of
one at an impromptu indignation
meeting in the lobby Of the Hotel
Sheldon, headquarters of foreigners
driven out of Mexico, to investigate
the killing of Benton. but his inquiries
developed nothing not previously pub
lished. Mr. Curry first went to
Thomas D. Edwards, L. S consul at
Juarez.
"Mr Consul" he said, the people
of El Paso, and foreign refugees from
Mexico are in a~feverish state because
of the murder Of William Benton.
They have been unable to learn de-
tails of the crime and have asked me
to seek information. Any light you
can shed on the subject will he ap-
preGiated."
III have telegraphed the secretary of
state that Benton's death has been Of
flcially reported to me-" replied the
consul "Such other details | have
forwarded TO Washington by mail.
General villa said he did not care to
talk Of the case to the press or pub
lie. but gave me the information for
Mrs. Benton, the widow and the state
department They are at liberty to
talk. but I promised the general /
would remain silent"
Asked as to his use Of the phrase
Officially reported dead" and If he
tContiui,ed on mage 81