The Topeka state journal., 1914-02-26
up TO CARRANzA.
fcontinued from Page One.)-

VlnClnK eXDlandtlOn Ol Gal S1A SO1As
stances surrounding the death Of Ben
ton. If Carranza cannot obtain tnat
from Villa, the power OF the so-called
"f1rst chief Of the constitutionalists
will fall in the estimation OF the
Washington government. Omc1als
here have felt kindly toward Carranza
and favorable reports on his charac-
ter were transmitted to President
Wilson by william Bayard Hale.
Another published report which at
tracted attention of officials was TO
the effect that the American embassy
with machine guns. The only arms
there it was said are several rifles. I'M
ported Just before the street fighting
that ended in Madero's downfall.
villa Remains Firm.
chihuahua, Feb. 26.-General villa
today reiterated that he would permit
examination but not the removal OF
the body Of Benton. which he asserts
is buried here. He said that repre-
sentatives of the American and Brit
ish governments and the widow alone
would be permitted to view the body.
Story Sounds Fishy.
Ell Paso, Feb. 26.-Investigation OF
the story told last night by A. Mtchae-
lis to the effect that Gustav Bauch
and thirteen other. Americans were
locked in a Jail in Juarez was set on
ton that his father is Brooklyn
banker, his tale was received skepti-
cally, for American Consul Edwards
at Juarez has been assured that with
the execution of William s. Benton
and the removal of Bauch no foreign
ers remained behind the bars.
Michaelis, who said he left his
home at 236 Vernon street, Brooklyn.
after a quarrel with his family and
was arrested at Juarez because OF
fist fight over a game OF cards, de-
clined to leave Juarez when newspa-
per men offered him asylum on the
American side. He said he had tele-
graphed his father for money and
would leave this section as soon as
funds arrived. He said that his jail
ers took his clothes from him and left
him only rags in which he was turned
British consul at Galveston. is ex-
pected here tonight to cooperate
with the American consul in investi-
eating the death Of Benton.
Punishment of Guilty Promised.
Laredo, Tex, Feb. 26.-United
States Consul Garrett and s. J. Hill
of Laredo, brother-in-law Of Clemente
scene of Vergara's execution by Mexi-
can federals near Hidalgo today. The
consul's visit to Hidalgo today was
largely to formally demand that Ver-
gara's body be surrendered to the
family for burial. Opposition to this
the body was still hanging to a tree
and the Mexican troops have not de-
MED the manner of his death.
Personal responsibility for ver-
gara's death, however, hardly will be
fixed until an extensive investigation
is made. Colonel Alvarez, command
er of Nuevo Laredo. has assured Con-
sui Garrett that the guilty men will
be punished.
A report that rebels were RESPONSE
BILE for the seizure of Vergara on his
island pasture in the Rio Grande and
his subsequent death was not given
credence by those in touch with bor-
der affairs. 1t was pointed out that
rebels have not operated in that Sec
tion Of Coahuila for months, though
there are several bands Of federals
opposite vergara's ranch.
Cheers for Sir Edward Grey.
London. Feb. 26.-Sir Edward
Grey, British foreign secretary, in
formed the house Of commons today
of Secretary of State Bryan's proposal
to send an American army surgeon
and another responsible American,
with Consul Perceval Of Galveston, to
conduct the examination Of the body
OF William 8: Benton. the British
ranchman. killed by Villa at Juarez.
There were cheers when the foreign
secretary, after saying that the gov
ernment of the United States is show
ing as much interest in this case as II
Benton had been an American citizen,
declared: 1T is hardly necessary to
emphasize what everybody knows the
deep feeling which exists in this
house and in the country in the mat
ter. His majesty's government fully
shares in this feeling. which 1 hope it
II fully recognized IL no less deep be-
cause the expression Of it has been so
restrained"
Texas VIII Take a Hand.
Austin. Feb. 26.-The state of Texas
viii make an investigation Of the
death OF Clemente Vergara, the Webb
county ranchman. alleged to have
been lured to Mexico and hanged by
Mexican federal soldiers. This was
announced today by Gov. o. B. Col
quit Governor Colquitt today con-
ferred with Adjutant General Henry
Hutchins Of the Texas national guard
and intimation was given that should
the Texas ranger force prove insuf-
ficaent to protect Texans along the
border. the national guard would be
dispatched for that purpose.
The governor directed General
Hutchins to telegraph j. J. Sanders,
captain Of the ranger force. stationed
kidnapping Of Vergara took place, to
get all the facts in the case. General
Hutchins was instructed to inquire
why the rangers did not prevent the
taking Of Vergara.
The federal government il investi-
eating the affair through Consul
Garrett at Nuevo Laredo.
Doubts 1Iichaclis's Story.
FL Paso, Feb. 26.-"I am convinced
that there are no American political
prisoners in Juarez. I know there are
a number Of alleged small crooks lock-
ed up in the regular city JAIL declared
Consul Edwards today, in connection
with the story told last night by
Michaelis, who declared he had Just left
the Juarez jail. where he had been a
prisoner and that Gustav Bauch and 13
other Americans were there, at the time