Daily Kennebec journal., 1914-02-24
WASHINGTON TENSE
Continued from Page One)

'---- - -
Texae, has been ordered TO FL Paso
to assist in the inquiry concerning
Benton, but in no way to interfere with
the American investigation.
Intimations were received through
semi-ofticiaI channels that marines
would be landed by Japan and France
to act as legation guards in Mexico
City along with those of Great Brit
ain and Germany.
That the Huerta government Is not
averse to the sending of foreign lega-
ton guards to Mexico City is known
here officially, bat the United States
for the present at least, will not fol-
low the course Of other nations.
Anxiety and Perpiexity.
The whole tenor of the Mexican sit
uation. while revealing no unusual ac-
tivity. reflected the same anxiety ana
perplexing tangles which often have
characterized il during days OF eA-
treme tension.
Attention was chiefly focused on
the investigation as to the manner in
which William S. Benton met death
at Juarez, but details of the affalr are
still lacking The report which had
been mailed by American consular
representatives at Juarez had not ar
rived late today Its contents nave
been anticipated by Geographic dis
patches giving Villas version OF the
affair and additional details are be-
ing sought from Gen. Villa at thi-
huahua by American Consul Leteher
The attempt te eXhume Benton's body,
though unavailing IS yet, IS expected
to bring further evidence
Just what will re the final judg-
ment of the american officials IN the
case no one would predict, but II would
not be surprising to many IN ofhcia
circles If Villas explanation went un-
challenged in the absence of satisfac-
tory evidence with which to lmpeach
it. That the American government
NAV pass on to Great Britain the facts
as found, without indicating anE 1udg-
ment at all in the matter, is consider
ed by some diplomats as hkely
course. Steps to obtain better pfotee-
ton for English nationals are e1-
pected to follow and Ii Is TINS feature
of the case which is pFoXoklng AIS
cnssion of possible assertion OF pol
lev on the part of the United states
which might express itself anew on
the subject of protection to foreigners
That Great Britain might urge her
subjects to leave Mexico as did TINS
government. is considered plausible
though there is some ground Tor the
belief also that the American govern
ment NAV express to the Mexican rae
tions a general warning about the
treatment of foreigners, the Vioiatiof
of which. it would be pointed out
might lead to grave complication.
U. S. Obligation.
The American government feels a
peculiar sense OF obligation in con-
nection with the safety of foreigners
in northern Mexico, having assured
those nations which had no consular
representatives there that the Wash
ington government would exercise
vatchful eve in their behalf. That
this does not involve direct response
bitty was made clear TO-DAY by oli
Edward Grey. at London and IN some
quarters tonight. the sehdlhs ol
| Charles Alexander Spencer PerciVal
british consul at Galveston, Texas tc
| Eel Paso was regarded as move cal
culated to relieve the American gov
| erpment To some extent of this task
! in the section around Juarez. The
British embassy explained that con
sul Perceyal went to FL Paso primar-
| ily to consul British subjects about
the death of Benton and to encourage
| refugees concerning the protection o1
their friends and property in north
ern Mexico. The embassy diselaimef
any intention of interfering with The
| American investigation of the Bentor
| episode, declaring any facts gathered
would be of supplementary charac'
| ter,
Inquiries from England.
Sir Cecil Spring-Rice has been keep
ing in close touch with Secretary bry
an about details of Bentons eXecu
ton, and twice today inquiries FOR In
formation about missing Enghshmel
were directed to the State department
Other members of the dipiomati'
corps are carefully observing the sit
uation and keeping their home gov
ernments informed, though no inquir
les other than from Great Britain
have as yet been known. The stat'
department makes practice OF keep
ing the diplomats here informed abou
any mention of their subjects in con
sular dispatches. Reports from Lo
Angeles today casting doubt on th
story that Roger Laurence ever wa
in Mexico was used as an illustration
by officials here of numerous inquiroe
about missing people, many of whom
subsequently, are found in other part
| of the world.
The whole subject of protecting Tor
eigners in Mexico was discussed to som
extent by members of the Senate foreig
relations committee today. They have a
understanding with senators particuiarl
| interested in the Mexican crisis tina
! whatever discussion is desired shall tax