New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-24
U,ITU, DEODT I,C COT TININI An Forum
PubEc

spite of the fact that for over twenty
years he had been resident in Mexico.
His reasons for So doing are quite APP
parent. He was an educated man, a
graduate of one of the greatest English
universities. He was well aware of the
policy Of the English government re-
specting the protection of English citi-
zens wherever located. He farcied that
his English citizenship granted MIN spe-
cial privileges and immunities-that, in
fact. he could speak or act as he chose
and be saved harmless because Of the
protection of his home government He
is known to have supplied the Huerta
forces with cattle and provisions and in
formation for three months after the oc-
cupation of his state by Villa and the
establishment Of martial law.
Villa fear of and respect for English
law led him quietly 10 suffer and condone
these overt acts on the part Of Benton
until at last Mr.. Benton, fancying him
self secure in his English citizenship,
mustered up courage to so TO villa with
the avowed intention Of telling that brig
and what he thought of him. Cp TO
this time Villa had contented himself In
his grievance against Benton by confis-
eating his cattle and refusing him per-
mission TO ship other cattle out of chi
huahua.
The friends OF Benton state that lac
called upon Villa unarmed. IL - perhaps
more correctly reported that Benton
gained access TO Villas tent and proceed
ed to tighten his mind of his opinion Of
Villa. II is perhaps correctly reported
that Villa listened with affected contempt
a smile lowering upon his lips, while Ben
ton, the gentleman. told the bandit, the
brute. the thief, the ralager OF women,
that he was all these things and more.
When Benton concluded Villa applied to
him a name that he knew no English
gentleman could swallow. His uhdoubted
purpose was to aggrayate Benton to mad
ness. and he seems 10 have succeeded.
Benton drew his gun upon mis- insuitcr
He was Immediately oisarmed, handed
over to a possibly prearranged court mar
tial. sentenced to death and executed.
Chihuahua was under martial law. Ben
ton knew this He knew also that to at
tempt violence against Villa was punish
able Under but one provision, which
spelled death.
AS the time honored phrase has u, Il
hold no BRIEF for villa. Neither do l
agree with the policy of the Washington
administration as to the settlement OF
strife in Mexico. II has been announced
that we decline 10 recognize a Mexican
government founded on blood" The
only means to rid Mexico of Huerto is BY
the blood route, which Will apply 90
Huerta's successor also We have not
vet attained as nation that exalted
state which will permit us in conscience
to pose as the ethical arbiter OF nations
more remote from the Source OF knowl-
edge than we are. Intellectual arrogance
does not create even In o President If the
United States divine commission to
stick 10 an expressed opinion AT the e>
pense of the worlds peace. This govern
ment should have recognized huerta Inn
mediately after the October elections.
The alternative still before us is inter-
vention, at "A cost OF many millions Of
dollars and many thousands of lives, and
then the ultimate elevation OF another
Mexican general, perhaps more blood
stained than Huerta. ! can see 40 choice.
But the Benton incident cannot hgure
In the situation. Deplorable as the case
may be. second thought caunot but con
firm the logical conclusion that Benton
through excessive zeal invited Il death
that his activities rendered iustihable
under martial law and inevitable under
the slightest color of oppor.u nitN
JAMES ARTHUR NOSLE.
No. n Church street. New York. F.b.
%, 1914