The Oskaloosa herald., 1914-02-26
FINAL ATTEMPT
To FORCE VILLA
SUCCESS OR FAILURE DEPENDS
ON ADMINISTRATION POLICY.
BRYAN DECLINES TO COMMENT
Villa contemptuously Refuses to Turn
the Body Of Benton over to His
Wife-Secretary Bryan at
D esk Most Of Niaht.

Washington, Feb. ga final at.
tempt to force Francisco villa to
surrender the body of William s.
Benton, British ranchman slain by
Villas order is being made to-day. On
its success or failure was believed to
hinge the entire administration policy
from this time on.
The contemptuous refusal of Villa
to turn the body over to Mrs. Benton
fer autopsy, has greatly aroused Great
Britain according to dispatches re-
Iceived here. So serious is the situa-
ton that Secretary of State Bryan
was at his desk a greater part of the
night and returned early to-day.
There Is no doubt but that he is
greatly worried over developments
but he positively declined to many
any comments.
Mr.. Bryan left the presidents re-
ception for the army and navy be-
fore midnight, going to his desk in
the state department.
After perusing message from Con-
sui Letcher at Chihuahua who report
ed that Villa would allow Mrs. Bent.
on to look at her dead husbands face
but would Immediately RENTER the
body, the secretary of state. sent new
instructions to the consul said to be
renewed demand in the sharpest
language that Villa turn the body
over at once.
In addition the local rebel junta
has been warned as has General Car
rama that this government i sunder
obligation to Great Britain to invest
igate the matter fully and that it will
do so whether Villa aids or retards
the inquiry.
Ugly rumors are circulating about
developments in northern Mexico.
The state department is about con-
WINGED that Gustave Bauch an Ameri-
can citizen and John Laurence, a
British subject, have already been
slain Every effort has been to To-
cate the men but the search has Sc
! Tar failed. $500
General Carranza Disappears.
FL Paso, Feb. 25.---The mystery
surrounding the movements OF Gener
al CarranZa, first chief of the Mexi
can rebel army, to-day gave rise 70
rmors that he had disappeared from
the state of Sonora. The retience OF
rebel officers at .JuareZ regarding the
matter added to the mystery. They
denied that they knew where he was
Ialthough several affirmed that he was
not with the official party comprising
the provisional rebel government en-
route TO Chihuahua city. They, how
lever, scoffed at the idea that Carran'
"a had abandoned the revolution.
sauch Was Executed.
FL Paso, Feb. 25.-American mill
tary men here to-day admitted that
they had received reports that Gust
ave Bauch, an American citizen, who
disappeared from Juarez last week
was executed by Mexican rebels at
Juarez last Friday. They declined to
divulge the source OF their informa
ton or give any details pending an
official investigation.
American is Hanged.
| Laredo. Feb. characterization is
being made to-day by American Con
/ sui Garrett at Neuvo Laredo of re-
port that Clemente Vergera, an Amer
lean. has been executed by federals
near Hldalgo. Mexico. His badly is
said to be still hanging from tree
near that town.
France Will Send Warships.
! Paris. Feb. 25.-France will short
~ send a second warship to Mevican
waters it was learned to-day. The
foreign office is considering sending
! legation guards of marines to Mexico
City but will not do so at present.