The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-02-23
villa Orders Out
Foreign Aaventnrers

CHIHUAHUA, FEB. 23.-Hoping to
force all missing foreigners In
Northern Mexico to get out of the
country, Gen. Francisco villa. Next.
can rebe! leader, today put into effect
an order deporting all foreign ad-
venturers In or out OF the army" As
result many foreigners boarded
trains for Juarez. Villa says he be-
lieves the order will result in the
finding OF many foreigners who have
been missing" for months and have
been living for various reasons under
assumed names In Chihuahua.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23.-ln the face
Of Urgent demands that 1t force dras-
tic action in Mexico the British gov
eminent today was refraining from
bringing additional pressure to bear
on the United States. Sir Cecil
Spring Rice stood firm in his posi-
ton that he would await a full detail.
ed report Of all the circumstances sur.
rounding William 8. Benton's death
before taking judgment. And, al
though leading senator's and repre-
sentatives were privately talking arm.
ed Intervention, az seemingly newt
able, the administration heads we're
still hopeful that no such step would
be necessary.
The situation was admittedly grave
In the opinions Of the president and
his secretary Of state. Not alone the
death of Benton but the apparent dis.
appearance Of two Englishmen, Roger
Lawrence and James Curtis, and an
Awnpfron Harry Novvn ptnu OP Dab
land. with the fear that they, too,
complications. Compton wrote from
chihuahua that he was to be taken
to Juarez and executed for some un.
known crime. Lawrence and Curtis
have not been seen since they started
for Villas headquarters to seek their
friend Benton. Villa and his sub0r-
dinates positively swear that none Of
the three are In Mexico 80 far as they
know. But In this connection Il n
recalled that Villa said that Benton
was alive and well "a hours after he
had been executed.
Sir Cecil Spring Rice has been told
by his home ONCE that the opinion il
general there that the reported Ben
ton corrt-martial was In reality q
"frame.up" to cover cold-blooded
killing. 1t IL understood that he has
SO informed the state department. But
Secretary Bryan and his chief assist.
ants refuse positively to discuss this
phase of the matter.
When the secretary was asked
whether he had sent aoformal order
to Consul Edwards at Juarez, to de-
mand Benton's body for the latter's
wife, he declined to answer. II Is
believed, however, that this has been
done, az the British ambassador told
the secretary Saturday that he believ.
ed the widow should get her dead.
Recovery OF the body would show,
however, whether Benton was hrst
beaten to death by the infuriated
villa and then stood up against wall
before q firing party to cover the
initial form, al alleged by the friends
of the dead Eneiishman. Senator Fall
OF New Mexico, will today introduce
in the senate a resolution demanding
that the state department recover
Benton's body.
An additional distinctly serious note
In the Mexican situation was the &C.
ton of Germany In sending machine
guns, 10000 rounds Of ammunition
snd q picked marine guard to its lega.
tion in Mexico City They were sent
with the cousert OF this government
lArn,y ofIlcials. familiar with the en-.
tire situation, believed this was the
beginning Of the end OF the peaceful
|coSditions In the Mexican capital
Germany. they said, would not havs