The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-02-21
VILLA EXECUTES BRITISH SUBJECT AT
JUAREZ; MAY RESULT in INTERVENTION
WILLIAM s. BENTON WEALTHY LANDOWNER Is KILLED BY
VuLA-REFUSAL TO GIVE DETAILS OF TROUBLE
CAUSES UGLY FEELING OVER THE INCIDENT
Consul Edwards Reports To Washington But Will Notng-ndg
nation Meeting at FL Paso-U s to Conduct Rigid nvesiga
tion-Washingon Awaits Consuls Report

WASHINGTON. Feb. 2o.-A slum-
berinE Mexican situation was brought
quickly TO a point OF intense inter
national interest today by the flash
OF message stating that william
). Benton. British subject had
been killed In Juarez by order or
General Francisco villa. the Consti-
tutionalist commander.
Sir Cecil Spring Rice. the British
Ambassador. conferred with Secre-
tary Bryan about g.; President VIII
son and his cabinet discussed II
briefly. and a thorough Investigation
was ordered by the state department
from consular Representatives on the
border.
In this case for the first time since
the present revolution began q year
ago. the general warning from the
United States government to Mexi-
can factions TO protect all foreigners
went unheeded. though there Is
every evidence to show that both the
British ambassador and the state de-
partment were advised too late or
Benton's impending fate 10 intercede
specifically for him. The news
shocked officials generally who had
come TO believe General Villa fully
realized the position OF the American
government IN regard to the protec-
ton OF foreigners In Mexico. partic-
ularly In the northern part OF that
country.
Il haven't sufficient facts on which
TO base an opinion" said Secretary
Bryan today. Until I have. the de-
partment will express no opinion"
Meager Details Given Out.
This was the Official view OF the
situation. with messages passing back
and forth between the state depart
ment and Consul Edwards and his
temporary assistant. G. c. Carrothers.
consular representative at rTorreon.
Only few details were announced by
the state department-that Benton
had been executed after a military
trial A copy OF the sentence OF the
court. setting forth the evidence I'm
the case, was promised the Ameri-
can consular representatives. Mr..
Bryan said a full report OF the affair
was on its way by mail from Consul
Edwards, TO whom General Villa had
personally explained the incident
The killing or a British subject un-
der circumstances such as dispatches
from the border portrayed cnused a
stir in diplomatic circles. Those IA
miliar with the aggressive attitude
Great Britain assumes in pressing for
reparation when her subjects have
been wronged were inclined TO foreaee
interesting developments impending
United States Not Responsible.
Discussion of the case between the
ambassador and the secretary OF state
developed clearly the absence OF any
responsibility on the part OF tho
United States for the killing OF the
British subject even though inyestiga-
ton should prove IL TO have been nm
Justifiable. The United States. II was
asserted, had simply acted as a friend
and exerted every effort TO save the
mans life. and the fact that through
It's consular officers the American
government might have virtually rec.
ognized the de facto control OF villa
over a certain portion OF northern
Mexico. II was held in no wise I'm
creased its liability for the actions OF
that individual
The British government through the
embassy was formally Informed thar
the state department Is waiting the
mailed report upon the tragedy from,
american Consul Edwards. which in.
formation II has passed along to the
foreign Office.