The Topeka state journal., 1914-02-21
Villas DEFENSE.



fng to a high pitch and today every Of
Ncial agency was engaged in bringing
to light further details.
The official report of Benton's dea:h
American consul at Juarez. and was
telegraphed to the state department at
Washington. Almost Immediately after
the announcement. General Francisco
Villa and stan hurriedly left Juarez.
for Chihuahua. Consul Eowaros
watched closely at the station hoping
to catch a glimpse of Benton or any
American prisoner, but saw none but
Mcxicans board the train. That there
was a real court martial In the Benton
case none on this SIDE OF the poroer
pretend to believe.
It was known that Benton started
for Villas headquarters to voice
protest against the repeated raiding
on his ranch in chihuahua by the
Mexican rebels. Here, at least, the
killing Of Benton has wiped out what
ever confidence was felt in Villas
promises.
The resolutions adopted at the mass
meeting characterized as 'cold blood
ed and heartless'' the assassination OF
Benton and charged that the state de-
partment at Washington had per
sistently suppressed facts concerning
true conditions in Mexico"
The clash between cava1rymen and
Mexicans occurred last night shortly
after Captain Harry M. Cootes had re-
ceived word that filibusters might at
tempt to rush his barracks. Aiter ex.
changing q few shots In which two
Mexicans were wounded, the other In
truders escaped in the darkness.
Other Men Missing.
Ell Paso. Feb. 21.-El Paso. after q
day and q night thrilling with excite
ment of news of the execution OF Will
liam 8. Benton and the indignation
~-vt&S a tOdAV
to anxiety and conjecture as to the fate
Of Gustav Bauch, an American. ac-
cused by the rebels at Juarex. OF being
a SPY, and Of two Englishmen who dis
appeared in Juarez last WEDNESDAY:
Bauch disappeared from his cell last
evening. This was discovered by rela-
tives who reported the fact to Thomas
ID. Edwards. American consul at
Juarez. He IL believed to have been
shot.
OF the two Englishmen. one named
Curtis il said to be from New Mexico
and the other, John Lawrence, cnlet
engineer Of the California Development
company at Yuma, Ariz. Samuel Stew
art known as Thompson. an English
soldier OF fortune, reported their dis
appearance. He said they went to
Juare5 Wednesday to aid In the search
for Benton, a schOOlmate OF Lawrence.
and were seen no more by h1msei1 or
other friends.
lawrence and Curtis. Stewart said.
registered here Tuesday under assum.
ed names and they came on business OF
a nature which for financial reasons re-
quired secrecy. He did not know what
names they used. Stewart told cir
cumstantial story Of his search for the
two friends yesterday but his tale was
received with reservations
All Eyes on Washington.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 21.-Attention Of
all the world powers interested in the
Mexican situation was turned today
on the investigation into the killing OF
William S. Benton, the British ranch
man, by General Villa at JuareE.
Secretary Bryan and Sir Cecil Strong
Rice, the British ambassador. were
awaiting official reports with details
and pending that development the sit
uatiOn apparently was unchanged.
Great Britain's usual attitude to-
ward the treatment of her subjects in
foreign lands surrounded the Benton
case with more than ordinary interest.
Intimations in Ell Paso that other
Englishmen, friends OF Benton, were
ulheard of, increased the tensity or
the situation. While every disposition
has been shown by the British en-
bassy here and by the foreign office at
London, to be guided by whatever an
official investigation develops, diplo-
matte circles were prepared TOT q
thorough inquiry into Benton's kill
ing.
One, outcome Of the situation,
which was thought more than proba-
BILE, was expected to be warning by
Great Britain to her subjects In
retreat to localities where they could
place themselves under the protection
Of the British flag.
England Waits ON Uncle Sam.
London. Feb. 21.-The British govern
ment up to noon today had not taken
any action in regard to the execution
at Juarez of William s. Benton. the
Sir Cecil Spring Rice, British ambas-
sador at Washington. to obtain from
Secretary Bryan all possible informa-
ton on the affair.
Although the tragedy has created a
sensation throughout the British isles
it has not aroused any disposition on
the part of the responsible members OF
the British government to change their
policy in regard to Mexico.
There is no concealment Of the fact,
however, that the murder Of British
subjects in Mexico unless followed by
punishment of the murderers and the
payment of indemnity is likely to
arouse public opinion here to the point
where it will demand that the British
government take a more aggressive at
titude.
This fact had been impressed upon
the state department at Washington by
Sir Cecil Spring-Rice before any Brit
ish lives had been lost in Mexico. In
its official attitude. Great Britain is
looking to the United States to protect
British subjects and has no doubt the
United States will do its best. The state
department at Washington has al
ready informed the British government
t.lat where there are no British con-
suls in Mexico, the consu1s of the
United States will look after British in
terests. The British government has
no communication with the Mexican
constitutionalists through diplomatic OF
consular channels.
The members Of the British govern
ment consider that the recognition OF
the constitutionalists as belligerents