The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-21
Slunbering Situat tion
Brought to Point of
Intense Interest.
UNITED STATES
ORDERS INQUIRY
State Department Is Awaiting
Mailed Report Upon Tragedy
From Consul Edwards Before
Taking Any Positive Ac-
tion-Interesting Devel-
opments Anticipated.

Washington. February 2o.-A slum-
boring Mexican situation to-day was
brought quickly to point OF intense
international interest by the flash of a
message saying William s.. Benton. n
British subject, had been killed In
Juarez by order of General Francisco
Villa, the Constitutionalist commander.
Sir Cecil Spring Rice. British ambas-
sador. conferred with Secretary Bryan
about 1t President Wilson and HIS Cab
met discussed It briefly. and the State
Department ordered a thorough inves
tigation by consular representatives
on the border.
In this case for the first time since
the present revolution began year
ago. the general warning from the
Cnited States government to Mexican
factions TO protect foreigners went un-
hooded. though there Is every evidence
TO show that both the British ambassa-
dor and the State Department were
advised too late of Benton's impending
fate to intercede specifically for him
Tho news shocked officials generally.
who Ind come to believe that General
Villa fully realized the position OF the
American government in regard TO the
protection OF foreigners in Mexico. par
ticularly In the north OF that country.
Bryan Declines to Talk.
II haven't sufficient facts on which
10 paht All OpIHiOI, bhiO ScCTctdEI
Bryan to-day. Until ] have them the
department will express no opinion"
This was the official view OF the
situation. with messages passing be-
tween the State Department and Con-
sui Edward and his temporary assis-
tant. C. c. Carrothers. consular repre-
sentative at Torreon. Only few de-
tails were announced by tho State De-
partment: one that Benton had
been executed after military trial.
a copy OF the sentence OF the court,
setting forth the evidence in the case
was promised the American consular
representatives. Mr.. Bryan said full
report OF the affair was on Its way by
mail from Consul Edwards. TO whom
General Villa personally had explained
the incident.
Tho killing OF British subject un-
der circumstances such as dispatches
from the obrder portray caused a stir
In diplomatic circles Those familiar
with the aggressive attitude Great
Britain assumed In pressing for repa-
ration when her subjects have been
wronged. were inclined TO foresee In
teresting developments.
No Responsib.lity on United States.
Discussion of the case between the
ambassador and the Secretary of State
developed clearly the absence of any
responsibility on the part of the
United States for the killing of Brit
pntlon should prove IL 10 have been
unjustihable. The United States. It
was asserted, had acted as n friend
and exerted every effort to save the
mans life. and the fact that through
its consular offices the American gov
ernment might have virtually recogniz-
ed the de facto control of Villa over a
certain portion of Northern Mexico
II was held. In wise increased its
liability for the actions OF that n
dividual.
The British government, through the
embassy. was informed that the State
Department Is waiting the mailed re-
port upon the tragedy from American
Consul Edwards.
Though the report referred to Is not
lilf"'" to reach here for n few days,
details OF the Incident began to alter
patches tonight. The departure OF
General Villa for the South was not
looked by officials here as having
any connection with the death of Ben
ton. The information reported to tho
State Department was that Villa had
been planning the move South for sew
eral days.
Arouses Storm of Indignation.
Ell Paso. Texas. February 20.-A
storm of indignation to-day broke
along the border when 1t became
known that William S. Benton, Brit
ish subject. and wealthy land holder
in Mexico, who disappeared on Tues
day, had been executed by rebels In
Juarez after he had made protest to
General Francisco Villa about alleged
depredations OF the Constitutionalsts
ass-meeting was held tonight.
and resolutions were adopted consuming
the State Department at Washington
for it's alleged suppression of the con-
sular report OF the Benton case, and
calling On Congress to demand from
the Department Of State n full record
of alleged crimes and outrages against
foreigners In Mexico.
The meeting came as the climax of
day of excitement caused bye news
Of the death Of Benton. The meeting
was first called for Cleveland Square,
but Mayor Kelly, in letter to George
Curry. former Governor OF New Mexico,
asked him to rent a hall, as he re-
garded an open meeting as dangerous.
The Mayor said he would suppress any
attempt to hold tho meeting In the
open. A theatre was erented, and mes-
sengers turned the crowd from Cleve-
land Square to the building.
Former Governor George Curry, of
New Mexico, was the principal speaker.
Ne was named committee of one at
an impromptu Indignation meeting in
the lobby of the Hotel Sheldon, head
quarters OF foreigners driven out of
Mexico, to investigate the killinu of
Benton, but his inquiries developed
nothing not previously published. Mr..
Curry first went to Thomas D. Ed
wards, United States consul at Juarez.
Seek for Information.
"Mr Consul" he said. "the people
OF FL Paso and foreign refugees from
Moxico are in feverish state because
of tho murder of William Benton.