The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-26
Representative Ainey, Of Penn
sylvania Declares Wilson s
"Watchful Waiting" Policy
Leads Straight to War.
Believe Villa Will
Refuse View of Body
United States Demands to See
Benton Corpse May Fail
Another American Reported
Killed by Federals Situation
More Tense.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 25,-Grave
doubts have arisen as to villa inteh-
tons to satisfy the demands OF the
United States representing GREAT
Britain for such all examination 81
the body OF Benton. the BEitsa
ranoher. as will permit the deterIni-
nation of the manner of his death.
Todays Developments in the efforts
OF this government to b@ing Nliid -
see the light were SO unsatisfactory
as to leave the situation in regrad 10
the Benton case still unsettled and
very tense.
Additional disturbing complications
were found in The killing OF abother
American. this time by The tSdoraI&
and the sr"s.ig feehfE IN oi-@t1i
quarters that Gustav Bauch, the Ger
man American, who WAS in prison at
Juarez last week. is now dead.
Evidence continued TO accumulate
that congress is chatting under the re-
peated reports OF Mexican depreda-
flons upon American life and prop
crty. The first OF what is likely TO be
a long series Of attacks upon the
Wilson administration Mexican pol
isy took place in the house, whea
Representative Aincy, or Pennsyi-
varia, who is a candidate for the
United States senate, declared that
the policy of watchful waiting was
leading straight toward war. lie IN
troduced a resolution calling for q
record Of the deaths or Americans in
Mexico. which he predicted would be
appalling TO the country
Assuming for the moment that
Villa intends to keep faith. Secre-
tary Bryan and AMBASSADOR Spring
Rice today arranged for examination
OF the body of Benton Just as soon
as villa permits its exhumatien.
Want Prompt ELIMINATION.
such arrangements as they tentatively
agreed upon, however, were based
solely upon assumptions, as Villa
has not said that he will permit a
surgical examination OF the body TO
be made, nor that he Will permit
the British consul, Charles Percival.
TO be present. MIR. Bryan signified
TO the ambassador, however. his inten-
ton Of having IA competent army sur
geon assigned to make the exarnina-
taon when the body of Benton Is
disinterred-
Great Importance is attached by
both Mr.. Bryan and the British am
bassador to the Importance of hav-
ing the body exhumed promptly
Mr.. Bryan has no assurance from
villa, however. as 10 where the body
Is. or when Its elimination Will be
permitted. There is every indication,
however that IL villa interposes any
considerable delay the United States
will find It necessary TO take very
drastic action toward carrying out
what 1t has undertaken to do for the
British government.
News OF the killing OF another
American came in from Consul Gar
rett. at Nuevo Laredo. He informed
the department that Clements Ver-
CARA and American citizen, had been
hv faAQrat col
diers. The body of Vergara. behead
cd. was still hanging to a tree near
Hidalgo
Mr.. Bryan promptly instructed the
consul to demand possession Of the
body and to investigate thoroughly the
circumstances Of the mans execution.
1t IL believed here that the federal
authorities TO whom representations
must be made will readily respond 20
all the demands of the United States
In the case.
The case for Villa was not improved
when the impression gained ground
that Gustav Bauch- the German
American. Is now dead. The mass Of
conflicting reports contradictory state
mants. and apparent assimilation,
with which villa and his subordinates
have responded to inquiries OF
American officials regarding Bauch,
has practically convinced Washington
that the revolutionists are trying to
conceal the fact that the man Is dead.
Great Britain's Pressure
There Is no intention on the part
OF Mr. Bryan to forego his demand
for ultimate possession of the body OF
Benton, in order that 1t may turned
over to the relatives of the dead man.
The pressure OF Great Britain is such
that the United States is regarded as
fully obligated to obtain possession
OF the body. even II 1T becomes neces-
sary TO use force. The British gov
eminent feels. 1t is understood here.
that it's prestige and national honor
demand that villa shall not be per-
mitted to withhold the body per-
manently.
Invasion of Mexican soil to get
possession Of Renton's body would
not be war. requiring authorization OF
congress, 1t Is said. by officials here.
Though II IL known with how great
reluctnnce Mr. Bryan would ADOPT
such q source, il Is believed quite
within the range of ultimate necessity.
In view Of the insistent though courtc-
Gus attitude OF Great Britain
Agents OF the constitutionalists here
say the whole matter Will come out
all right, and that Villa will Justify
everything that he has done. Mean
time, ii Is admitted that military cam
paigns must be deferred by Villa un-
III he has given some satisfaction In
regard to tho Benton case. 1t is as
sumed that Villa will, return to
Juarez, but none Of his representatives
I here liz In position tostndicate when
NJ will arrive. ~