The Marshall republican., 1914-03-06
BENTON CASE.
SIR EDWARD GREY SAYS BRITAIN
RESERVES RIGHT TO AVENGE
SUBJECTS DEATH.

government reserves to Itself the
right TO obtain full reparation for
the death of William s. Benton, n
British subject. in Mexico. at the
hands of Gen. Francisco villa, the re-
bel leader.
Sir Edward Grey, Secretary OF
State for foreign affairs. made this
announcement this afternoon in the
house of commons, answering an in
terrogation as To the status of the
Mexican situation and the Benton in
quiry.
England, said Sir Edward, has no
intention to send an armed force in
TO Mexico. and for the present Is con
tent 10 leave the Benton affair In
the hands OF the Washington govern
ment until the state department has
had reasonable opportunity to act,
but the British government does not
intend. under any circumstances. to
allow the Benton killing to drop.
Mexico, added the foreign socrc-
tary, gives every indication of a de-
sire to conceal the truth.
Sees Efforts at Conccaimcnt.
When IL became know that Sir
Edward again would speak on Mex
leo. the house OF commons galleries
quickly filled with an eager crowd,
and the gecretary's words were lis
tened to with grave attention.
so far" said Sir Edward, the
United States has shown MS much IN.
tcrcat I'm the death In Mexico Of n
British subject ns 1t has in the cases
Of outrago8 on American citizens.
The United States has shown every
desire TO gain protection for British
subjects IN the Mexican territory con
trollcd by the Constitutionallsts.
"All efforts made NJ to now have
failed to obtain an inquiry. into the
facts regarding the death OF VIII
liam $. Benton. The persistent diff
cultioB intcrposed In the way Of
such mn investigation create the pre-
sumption OF n desire or intention TO
conceal the truth on the part OF those
In Mexico who are responsible Tor
what has happened. Communications
with the government OF the United
states are stlll proceeding, but | re-
peat what | said here last week.
that these communications do not
Imply the government OF the United
States has any responsibility for
what has taken place. the death OF
Benton.
Reserve Right Ia Act.
II would sum up the situation by
saying that II the United States
thinks Il proper TO take further steps
on behalf Of It's own citizens or Bri-
this subjects, we. will gladly wait the
result.
But, II, for reasons of IT'S own.
the United States does not think Il
desirable To take such steps. we must
Of course. reserve to ourselves the
right to SECURE r%eparation whenever
II Is In our power TO do so.
Assuming that the United States
desires not Itself TO take any re-
sponsibility for Intervention, It has
been urged upon me that we should
take immediate action, without, how
ever, giving mo any suggestion OF
what action we can take.
Il must repeat what | said here
last week, that there Is nothing we
a do under present conditions. The
government In Mexico City has no
control over the territory where the
death OF Benton occurred. nor over
those responsible for his death. We
have no intention OF engaging IN such
q fantastic attempt as the sending of
a force, which to be effective would
have to be a very large force, into any
part of Mexico.
But we do not intend to let the
matter rest, and as soon AS. by any
change OF circumstances. II IL IN our
power TO carry the matter further,
we shall take whatever steps may be
practicable"