New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-21
Administration Silent Until
Report Is Received
from Consul.
WILL GIVE WARNING
TO ALL ENGLISHMEN
Great Britain Will Notify Her
Nationals in Mexico to Seek
Safety at Once.
From The Tribune Bureau. J

From lhe lfounc bureau
Washington Feb. 2O.-Comphcstions
,r the most serious sort are feared as
result of the death of William s. Ben
ton. a British subject at the hands OF
General Villa. the Constitutionalist mil
i,ary chief. as Great Britain has asked
the United States. through Sir Cecil
Spring Rice. her Ambassador. to as
sumo responsibility FOR an inyestisa-
tion.
Whether Benton was executed after
mock court martial or shot down by
Villa without formality. as has been
intimated, is a phase of the situation
which will be rigidly investigated. The
hurried departure Of Villa and his staf
from Juarez on a special train is re-
sarded here with suspicion.
The Secretary of State has been ad-
vised by the American Consul, Thomas
ID. Edwards that he has sent by mall
a full report OF the death OF Benton
Mr. Edwards first made bare an
nouncement Of the death of the British
subject, and then supplemented that
report with circumstantial details,
which Secretary Bryan refused to di-
vulge Mr.. Bryan said that until he
had received Consul Edwards's full re-
por. he would not feel at liberty to
make any comments or announcement.
Adding TO the gravity Of the situation
is the fact that the British Ambassador
had urged the Department OF State 10
exercise its friendly Offices to the end
that no harm should come to Benton.
The department informed Consul Ed
wards of this request, but it is believed
here that Benton was dead before the
message reached the Consul.
Cabinet Discusses Affair.
Secretary Bryan told the President OF
the death of Benton at the Cabinet
meeting to-day. and the subject was
discussed at length by the Cabinet. The
administration, however, is silent. pend
ing the result of the inquiry ordered
bv the State Department.
The news of Benton's execution
shocked officials generally. who had
come 10 believe that General Villa
fully realized the position Of the Amer
lean government in regard 10 the pro-
lection OF foreigners in Mexico, par
ticularly in the north OF that country.
The killing OF a British subject under
circumstances such as dispatches from
the border portrayed caused stir in
diplomatic circles. Those familiar
with the aggressive attitude Great
Britain assumes in pressing for repara-
ton when her subjects have been
vronged we're inclined to foresee in
teresting developments impending.
Discussion of the case between the
ambassador and the Secretary of State
developed clearly the absence of any
responsibility on the part Of the United
States for the killing of the British
subject. even though investigation
should prove It to have been unjusti-
fable The United States, it was as
serted. had simply acted as friend
and exerted every effort TO save the
mans life, and the fact that through
,ts consular officers the American gov
ernment might have virtually recog-
nized the de facto control OF villa over
certain portion Of Northern Mexico.
Il was held in no way increased It's
liability for the actions of that person.
British Government Notified.
The British government, through the
embassy. was formally Informed that
the State Department was awaiting
the mailed report on the tragedy from
the American Consul, which informa-
ton has been passed along to the For
eign ONCE.
In communicating TO the British Am
hassador the news OF the death Of Ben
ton. Secretary Bryan added that he had
ordered thorough investigation
through Consul Edwards, at Juarez,
and Consul Letcher. at Chihuahua.
II was said at the embassy to-day
that the action Of the State Depart
ment had been gratifyingly prompt and
thorough.
II is pointed out that while the State
Department has undertaken to extend
protection TO British subjects In Mex
leo where necessary. this has been done
entirely BY courtesy and not as mat
ter OF international right. The situa-
ton of the British in Mexico Is pre-
cisely the same as that OF the Span
iards whom the United States govern
ment has tried TO protect in the face OF
threats OF wholesale killings, and for
Continued on second page. second column.