Evening star., 1914-02-21
Report That He Has Met the
Fate of Benton Is Denied
by Juarez Officials.
MAY SOON BE RELEASED
CONSUL EDWARDS is TOLD
Disappearance of Two Englishmen,
Who Were Last Seen Wednesday.
Remains a Mystery.

alleged disappearance of John Lawrence,
an engineer of Yuma Ariz and friend
of the name of Curtis in Juarez last
Wednesday constituted a mystery today.
In Juarez officials denied any such
men had been detained. The American
consul. Thomas d. Edwards, was Off
cially informed that Gustave Bauch, who
was reported executed as spy last
night had merely been removed from
the Laredo street barracks. where he
was held incommunicado, to another
lookup. and the consul was assured that
probably he would be released in day
or two
The accusations against Bauch, SO far
as could be learned, simmered down dur
ing the trial to the charge that he had
assisted in repairing locomotives for the
federals. Bauch is railroad mechanic.
Due to Indignation Meeting.
If the statement to Edwards proves
true and he is released American refugees
here say it will indicate that the indig
nation meeting held here last night to
protest against the execution of William
S. Benton by Gen. Francisco Villa in
fiuenced the rebel decision.
The most significant feature OF the
be held at all with foreigners having in
terests in Mexico present. For three
years they have avoided even the appear
ance of having opinion on affairs south
of the river except among themselves.
Last night, stating that they realized
what their new attitude might mean to
their interests. and possibly to their own
lives should they attempt to return to
Mexico. they showed themselves in the
open, where Villas representatives, who
were present could recognize them.
Deny Reason for Murders.
Among the Villa adherents in the audi
ence was DR.. Lyman Raschbaum. The
doctor, who is Villas personal physician,
today issued signed statement saying
that the clause in the resolutions declar-
ing that Americans have been murdered
because of their nationality was untrue.
The resolutions, which condemned the
attitude of the Washington government
on Mexican affairs, and accused the State
Department Of suppressing facts vital TO
the interests of a peace policy, were sent
to President Wilson by telegraph last
night Copies were mailed to the British
ambassador and to the senators from
Texas and New Mexico.
Although Villa promised Consul Ed
wards that the grave of Benton would be
marked, its location was still unknown
Went in Search of Benton.
Samuel Stewart known also as
Thompson reported the disappearance of
the two Enslishmen He said they went
to Juarez Wednesday to aid in the search
for William S. Benton, schoo.mate of
Iawrence'S, and We're seen no more by
himself or other friends.
registered here Tuesday under as
ness of a nature which. for financial
reasons required secrecy. He did not
know what names they used. Stewart
told circumssantlal story of his
search for the two friends yesterday
but his tale was received with reserva
tions.
FL Paso, after a day and night of ex-
element over news of the execution
which ensued. awakened today to
anxiety and conjecture as to the fate
of the three men.
Prisoners to Be Released.
The two prisoners taken by troop N,
18th Cavalry. last night. when fifteen or
twenty shots We're exchanged between
the Americans and crowd of Mexicans,
probably will be released. Capt Harry
N. Cootes said today, after questioning
the prisoners. that they appeared to be
employees of the smelter who inadvert-
emily became mixed up with the flying
Mexicans.
Cootes received information Tuesday
that a plot was afoot to rush his lit
tie outpost on the river near the out
skirts of the city with the idea of OBJ
tanning arms and horses for a filibuster-
ing expedition. and the close watch he
instituted resulted in the detection by
Corp. Jenson of the Mexicans in an alley.
Jenson was fired upon when he ordered
the Mexicans to halt, and he and his
comrades returned a volley.
A Mexican, who went to local hospi-
tai with an unexplained bullet wound in
his leg is believed to have been hit by
the troopers.