Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-26
american Government Tries
to Show Rebel Leader
Error of Refusal
RECEIVE WORD THE
BODY MAY BE HAD
Ten More Americans Miss
ing and Bauch Is Said to
Have Been Hanged

Washington, D. c., Feb. 25.--
General Villas proposal for an
American examination Of the body
cf William s. Benton, the English
ranchman he executed at Juarez,
without permitting its removal
from Mexico, has been accepted by
this government without waving,
however, any further movement to
demand it's delivery on American
soil -...-.
British Consul Perceval, at GAL
weston, Texas, was today to pro-
ceed to FL Paso at once, where he
Is expected to arrive tomorrow to
90 to the grave In Juarez with
delegation Of Americans. Major
General Scott, commanding the
United States troops there, will
detail an American army surgeon
and other officers to accompany
the British consul. A member of
Benton's family will be taken with
the party.
Washington. D. c., Feb 25.-Furth-
er representations were made by the
American government today to Gen
eral Francisco Villa pointing out the
importance Of giving up the body OF
William s. Benton. the Englishman
recently executed at Jnarez. whose
death Is being officially investigated
by both the United States and Great
Britain. 's3@@aa
Immediately on the receipt of word
from Consul Letcher at Chihuahua
that Benton's body would be exhumed
for the benefit of Benton's widow and
relatives, who could visit. the cemetery
with an American representative,
second request went forth to Villa
asking that the body be turned over
to the widow on American territory.
Villas refusal to accede to the re-
quest for the body has not met with
favor by officials here. who are seek
ing now to impress on him. through
Consul Letcher, the Importance the
world generally will attach to such
refusal.
General Carranza, chief of all the
constitutionalfst forces is expected in
Juarez within week. 1t is under
stood here that he will take charge OF
an investigation of the Benton case
on his own account
On the character of the wounds
found rests proof of Villas version of
the killing. If the body is found rid
died with rifle bullets, officials think
the story Of an execution after court
martial will be confirmed, and atten
tion then will be further directed to a
point now carefully being Investigated
as to whether Benton had committed
crimes as Villa charges, and was of
disposition to fight with fire arms.
Indications were today that the in
vestigation would last for several days
with no final Judgment until all The
facts had been gathered. Officials
first Importance however.
Secretary Bryan visited the white
house before going to his office to
read overnight dispatches. He made
no comment on the situation.
Latest Official Reports.
White house officials, after Secretary
Bryan had left. stated in regard to the
status of the inquiry for Benton's body
that:
Two dispatches were received yes
terday, one from Consular Agent Car
others saying Villa would not permit a
view of the body at this time but
would do so later. That message
came during tho afternoon.
Late last night a message was re-
ceived from Consul Letcher at Chi
huahua, who had been in personal con-
ference with him. He reported that
Villa was willing to have the widow
and relatives of Benton see the body
when it was exhumed and that their
visit would be permitted in the pres
Cd by the American government"
''The change in Villas attitude as re-
hected in these two messages, it was
said was the result of repre- sentations
made by the United States that his at
titude was not satisfactory. The Uni
ted states will designate an army sur
geon as one of it's representatives and
an examination of the body will be
made, according to white house Of
fcials
While apparently satisfied that an
opportunity for medical examination of
the body has been made, the latest rep
to Villa request that after
the examination the body be delivered
to the widow for burial wherever she
may wish.
The state department is hopeful
that through General Caranza, Villa
(I!ontiosed on Page 81