Daily Kennebec journal., 1914-02-24

garded as one of the leading Liberal
papers. said;
1T is impossible not to suspect that
the execution of Benton was no bet
ter than murder. The facts are pref
ty clear, but it is difficult to draw
any lesson from them except that, the
Mexican leaders still conduct their
warfare with the barbarity of the
Middle Ages and that President VIII
son would be far from the end of his
difficulties even though General Huer-
ia were driven from power"
If there were only one Huerta. Mr..
Wilson might be able to obtain the
decent government based on the con-
sent of the governed. which he desires
for Mexico: but there are too many
Huertas. Felix Diaz, Huerta himself.
Carranza, Vila-there is little reason
to suppose that any one of them would
be less despotic than the others or
would consent to let Mexico say by
whom she would be governed" b
All the evening newspapers devote
their leading articles to the subject OF
Benton's death.
The Pail Mall Gazette, an Opposi-
tion organ, under the heading, "it's
murder most foul" says the Staying
of Benton is an event which touches
the honor of the British name to the
quick. The newspaper says that even
if the body which was styled a court
martial really assembled, and even X
it's sentence was based on true EVIL
dence and fair consideration thereof,
Villa and his revolutionary bands have
no status as belligerants which en-
titles them TO try subjects of other
powers by court martial. If this pre-
tense at courtmartial should be the
only result of the inquiry being made
by the United States government, the
obligation of the United States to act
as the mandatory of civilization will
remain.
The Globe says: THE result of the
inquiry conducted by the United States
government will be awaited with re-
strained emotion but 1t will have to be
very conclusive In its justification OF
the act inquired into If it is TO satisfy
not only British but, We are glad to
think, American opinion as well.'
Referring to President Wilson's re-
fusal to recognize Huerta as provision
al president of Mexico, the Globe asks
IF it be proved that Villa has un-
justifiably done to death peaceful
British resident how can the princi-
pies which condemn Huerta be recon-
ciled with the appreciation and sup
port of his adversary? As TO the
American government has undertak-
en- to protect British subjects in Mex
leo it's obligation TO act promptly and
effectively in the present case is clear"
The Standard says:
I'VE cannot believe that the United
States government intends to refer
Great Britain to General Huerta for
satisfaction. Such policy would be
inconsistent with the sense of respon-
sibility which President Wilson must
feel for Mexico. 1t cannot be supposed
that President Wilson is feeling easy
in his mind over the murder of Ben
ton. He has not only the relations OF
the United States to Mexico to think
of but also the soundness and the
popularity of his own policy"
The Westminster Gazette takes the
stand that Villas proceedings in re-
gard to Benton must be illegal, as the
rebels have never been recognized.
The government organ concludes:
THE investigation may, possibly,
show that Benton himself was respon-
sible for the dreadful fate meted out to
him: but short Of that we believe pub
lie opinion on both sides of the At
lantic will demand that the murder
ers Of Benton be brought to book"