Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-21

word to Villa not to make the details
public"
Asked what disposal had been made
Of the body, Edwards replied:
II do not think it will be seen on
this side of the border"
Villas sudden departure with his
staff this morning is regarded as flight
from the storm Of indignation which
was presaged by the interest manifest
in the disappearance of Benton.
AS the forenoon wore on, talk of a
mass meeting grew, but took no
definite shape. Excited knots OF Amer
lean, English, French and German
refugees who have lost their property
temporarily asserted that the time had
come for foreigners to voice their SEN
timents and protest against the treat
ment being dealt out to them.
Since the revolutions began they
have never had such meeting, but
have accepted their burdens stoically.
1t is understood among border news
paper men that the names of for
eigners who divulge news are not to
be made public for fear of conse-
quences when they SGT foot on Mexi-
can soil again.
The fate of Gustav Bauch, the Ger
man-American. charged with being a
spy, is still being heard.
According to officiakreport today he
is still to be held communicate but
for all his friends know he may be
dead. Official Juarez is able to keep
secrets.
Reason For Suspicion.
The fact that the alleged execution
took place, Tuesday night is thought to
mean by many that Villas court mar
tial reports was given out to cover the
fact that Villa personally shot his visi-
tor in the course of their quarrel. A
disagreement. the court martial. and
the execution all in part of one day Is
! thought to be too rapid for legal pro-
cedure across the river Villas sudden
departure is also considered in connec-
ton with this theory.
Talking with reporter over the
telephone, Consul Edwards made a
cryptic remark: II have officially re-
ported Benton dead because his death
was officially reported to me. Per.
sonally | may have my hopes or
doubts. | will say nothing more" he
said.
Bryan Gets the News.
Washington, D. c., Feb. 20.--Secre.
tary Bryan was advised today Of the
death Of w. S. Benton, an English
ranch owner in Mexico, recently re-
ported in the hands of the rebels.
Secretary Bryan announced the
news of Benton's death as he went in
to a cabinet meeting at the white
house. He declared he had absolutely
no details An official dispatch from
Consul Edwards merely announced the
death of the Englishman.
Sir Cecil Spring-Rice, the British
ambassador, who called on Secretary
; Bryan to ask for information of Ben.
ton. also was told of the news.
Benton was arrested in Juarez last
Tuesday and had not been heard
from since His wife and friends fear.
ed he had been executed by General
Villa, the constitutionalist leader
Villa at first denied knowledge of Ben.
! toms whereabouts, but yesterday in
conversation with inquirers intimated
that he knew something about the
| Englishman, and added, that Benton
/ had threatened him with revolver
Villa was quoted as expressing pro
found Indifference toward an appeal to
| the British ambassador at Washing
| ton.
Sir Cecil Spring-Rice asked the
state department yesterday to take
steps for the protection Of the British
| subject Mrs. Benton had received an
unconfirmed report that her husband
was prisoner in Juarez Jail. He
was largely interested in mining and
had 100000 acre ranch in Chihuahua
Castillo is informed
Ell Paso. Tex. Feb. 20.-A mild look.