Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-03-04
CARRANzARLOCKS
OUTSIDE INQUIRY
IN BENTON DEATH
Abandon Hope of American
British Examination of Slain
Mans Body.

WASHINGTON, March 4.-General
Carranza's announcement that he
had appointed a special commission
to investigate the recent execution
by General Villa of William s. Ben
ton, a British subject coupled with
the declaration from Great Britain
that she would not look to the United
States for action as result OF the
incident, was generally accepted to-
day as meaning the abandonment of
the expedition of American and Brit
ish representatives who were to have
gone to Chihuahua to examine Ben
toms body.
There is every reason to believe
that Great Britain has closed the
Benton case for the present, though
she has reserved the right to exact
reparation in the future. England's
withdrawal at this time and Car
ranza's determination to investigate
the Benton killing of his own accord
will put the United States, it is be-
lieved, in the position of a patient OBJ
server of developments with no pres
ent necessity for further inquiry into
the Benton episode.
The decision of Carranza to ferret
out the truth of the Benton execution
will mean a test of his authority over
General Villa. according to many Of
fltldlS mere, anu VIII luTlllGI utHiOi-
strate whether the ConstitutionaliStS
intend to afford protection to foreign
ers and make reparation for injury
done them.
One of the reasons why there is
little tendency to press the inquiry
on the part of the United States or
Great Britain is the fact that Ben
tons body already has decomposed
considerably and evidence of con-
elusive character as yet undisclosed
mas been in the hands of officials for
several days.
Next steps in the situation seemed
TO depend on General Carranza. His
declaration that the United States has
no right to inquire about the welfare
fof any foreign subjects but her own
will not be accepted by the Washing
ton government. Carranza's friends
here were hopeful today that he
would eventually alter his position on
this point and reveal friendly atti-
tude toward the United States.
Bryan to Talk Today.
While pressure toward that had
been expected from Great Britain over
the Benton case has been removed
she American government is much
concerned over the reported murder
of Gustav Bauch and Clemente YER
CARA both American citizens, the one
by Constitutionalists and the other
by Mexican Federals. Demands for
information in each case have gone
forth from the state department. Tt
is expected also that messages will
be presented by American consular
agents to General Carranza, making
representations on behalf of Spanish
subjects George C. Carothers is ex-
pccted to discuss this with General
Carranza today on behalf of the state
department.
Secretary Bryan had an engage
ment to appear before the House
committee on foreign affairs today
His frankness with members of the
Senate committee on foreign relations
has prevented agitation of the Mex
ican question in the open Senate.
Many Republicans in the House have
been making speeches lately attack
ing the administration Mexican pol
icy and calling for information. Sec
retary Bryan hopes to satisfy that re-
quest today
Ell PASO, Texas. March Al
though word had been received from
Nogales. Sonora, that General Car
rama had appointed special COM
mission to investigate the recent exc
cuticn by General Villa of William S.
Benton, American and British repre-
sentativeS who were ordered to eX-
anime Benton's body at Chihuahua,
continued today to await definite in
structions from the state department
at Washington.
I'm view OF General Carranza's ac-
ton the commissioners was expected
that the state department. would
order abandon the trip to Chihuahua.
Marion Letcher, American consul
al Chihuahua, who had expected to
accompany the commissioners on
their trip, remained here today on
orders from Washington.