Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-02-27

for the present. 1t Is believed. the OPP
pSrtunity for medical examination Will
be the most important phase of the in
yestigation. There Is a feeling among
some officials here that when Gen Car
rama, chief of the constitutionalists. and
his friends get in closer touch with Villa
they NAV convince him of the necessity
of abandoning whatever sentimental or
religious reasons he may have for re-
tanning the body.
Members of the cabinet individually
have been giving much consideration to
questions involved in Villa attitude.
They have been thinking, also. of the
possible effects generally of the Benton
episode, II it should be proved that he
was killed without court-martial. as his
friends claim in the latest versions or
the affair.
There is no secret in official circles OF
the fact. however, that the American
government had begun to expect much OF
the constitutionalists as people whose
chief motive was the restoration OF con-
stitutional government in their country
To the factions themselves the WASH
ington government had decided to leave
the settlement of the struggle. keeping
hands off SO far as was consistent with
international law.
Villas Act Causes Doubt.
The execution by Villa Of a foreigner
without affording time for coInmunica-
ton with the United States or his home
government and the manifest disinclina-
ton to give up the body Of the victim
upon formal request from Washington
have contributed to a feeling of uncer-
tainty among high administration officials
as to the future of the constitutionaiiSt
movement. Washington officials have
been given to understand that Gen. Car
rama as the ruling factor in the constl-
nationalist cause was man OF hlSh char-
acter, possessing a sense of international
amenities 1t is obvious in official circles
that the United States is now looking to
Gen. Carranza for a Qualification of the
whole affair.
Secretary Bryan last night tele-
graphed Gov. Colquitt of Texas that
the sending of the state militia into
Mexico to apprehend those responsible
Tor the hanging of Clemente Nergara,
an American citizen. would involve
responsibility which the federal govern
ment alone was in a position to as
sumo.
The governor had inquired whether
the federal government had any ob1ec-
ton to the sending by the state OF
force TO arrest the slayers of Nergara-
Secretary Bryan replied that the Wash
ington government was doing all that
could be done to secure the arrest and
punishment of the offenders
Precedents Cited.
A similar situation arose in Texas
In February. 1912. and February. 10
when border troubles caused Gov. Col
quit to declare he might send Texas
rangers into Mexico either to prevent
firing into American territory or to pro-
tect Americans. When, February "a,
1913, Gov. Colquitt ordered four COM
panies of militia to Brownsville, the
War Department te'egraphed Gen.
Steever. then in command of the De-
partment of Texas, under circu H.
stances 20 permit their crossing Of the
river except under the specific orders
OF the Secretary of War
No Change in Presidents Policy.
President Wilson took the position yes
terday that for the United States to send
marines or any armed force into Mexico
without the consent of the authorities
there would be an act of war. He de-
clared that permission had never been
sought from either Gen. Huerta o. Gen.
Carranza. and Indicated that no request
would be made, at least in the near
future. He also announced that no
change in his Mexican policy has been
decided on.
The President views the general situa-
ton In Mexico, as far as the progress of
the revolution is concerned. as but little
changed Huerta's resources. he thinks
nave occn WedheHeu, anu ne Hdu ledfHtu
of an undertone of dissatisfied on among
Mexicans in the territory controlled by
Huerta at the latter's arbitrary exactions
Of funds.
He let 1t be known that he had in
quired into various reports about Amer
lean financial aid to Carranza and was
convinced that there was no barter in
concessions between Carranza and Amer
lean nnanciers. Mr.. Wilson presumes
Carranza is getting most of his funds by
internal taxation and import duties.
incidentally Mr.. Wilson disposed Of a
report that an independent republic was
being planned for northern Mexico. He
said he had information from men who
knew Carranza's mind and the purposes
Of the constitutionalists generally, that
the partition of Mexico had been abso-
lutely rejected and disavowed by them
and that their main aim in the revolution
was to overthrow Huerta.