Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-09
President Will Not Discuss ''In-
vasion" Until He Hears
From Governor.
NO ADVICES HERE AS TO
BENTON CASE PROGRESS
United States Will Continue to Use
Good Offices in Behalf of
Foreigners.

| President Wilson expects a full report
from Gov. Colquitt and American Con-
sui Garrett as to the manner in which
the body of Clemente vergara, an Ameri-
can citizen. killed in Mexico. was re-
turned to American soil.
| After reading the early news dispatches.
some saying Texas rangers had crossed
into Mexico and had awaited themselves
of permission by the Mexican federal au-
thorities to American Consul Garrett to
recover the body. the President and Sec
rotary Bryan conferred at length The
| President said afterward that no official
Information had been received: that he
doubted very much whether Consul Gar.
| rett had any permission to take the body.
and that he would await a full report
| from Gov. Colquitt before making any
comment.
The President pointed out that the
Huerta government had supplied little in
formation about Vergara- declaring sim
ing the opinion that Vergara had Joined
the constitutionalists. Consul CARROTS
dispatches have said vergara came to his
death at the hands Of Mexican federals.
No Benton Case Advices.
The President had no further advices
today about the inquiry being made by
the constitutionalists into the recent exc
cution Of William S. Benton, a British
subject. at Juarez On the subject Of
protection of foreigners In Mexico. the
President indicated clearly that the
American government would continue to
use its good offices on behalf Of subjects
of those powers which had recognized the
Huerta government and could not, there
fore. deal with the consututionalists. No
information has been obtained as to
whether Gen. Carranza has altered his
attitude of denying to the United States
the right to inquire for the welfare Of ma
tionals other than her own.
Incidentally, the President denied
that the American government knew
anything of a published report that
Germany had warned Mexico that any
injury to German subjects would meet
with retaliation. The President told
callers that Germany's attitude toward
1.-THE position of the United States in the
Mexican situation had been satisfac-
tory and friendly and that Germany
had occupied most dignified position
throughout He did not believe re-
ports. he added, that Germany was dis
posed to complicate the situation.
Colquitt Telegraphs Fall.
Senator Fall of New Mexico today re-
ceived the following telegram from
Gov. Colquitt. dated Austin. Tex,
March 8:
'Am just in receipt of a telegram
from Capt. Sanderson Of Texas Rang
ers saying he had returned from Hi
dalgo. Mex. with Vergara's body and
now has it on American soiL-O. B. Col
quit, Governor Texas"
Officials Of the State and War depart
ments were without any advices what
ever today on the removal of Vergara's
body to Texas soil. On the basis of news
dispatches Secretary Garrison called upon
Brig. Gen. iss, on the Texas border, for
an official report. State Department Off
Gals were awaiting some word from Con-
sui Garrett.
In the absence of official advices all
officials were reluctant to comment upon
the situation.
Acting Chairman Shively Of the Senate
foreign relations committee conferred
with President Wilson and then with
Secretary Bryan about the Vergara case
and said afterward that little official in
formation had been received.
Evidence gathered by American Consul
Garrett and Texas authorities to prove
that Clemente Vergara, an American
citizen. was lured into Mexico from his
home In Texas and subsequently execut-
ed by troops Of the Huerta government
injected another serious aspect into the
Mexican situation today.
Both Sides Offenders.
Senators had prepared to debate the
| conditions that had arisen for the pro-
| lection of foreigners as result of the
recent execution by Mexican constitu-
| tionalists at Juarez Of William S. Benton,
a British subject, and today's news it was
| pointed out. served to emphasize that
both factions in the southern republic had
| been Offenders in this respect.
| Comparison OF the Benton and Vergara
cases was a topic of much discussion. Of
| ficials were inclined to view with much
| more gravity the murder OF Vergara,
who. they pointed out. was innocently
dr. avn across the border and killed. while
headquarters Of Gen. Villa, with whom he
had not been on friendly terms. Admin
| istration officials, however, do not con-
done the murder of Benton in any way
and are looking to Gen. Carranza for q
| Qualification of the affair. 1t was con-
sidered probable that vigorous representa-.
tons would be made to the Huerta gov
eminent today by Charge O'Shaughnessy
demanding the punishment Of the men re-
sponsible for Vergara's death.
| Charge Algara OF the Mexican embassy
here had received no instructions from
| his government today regarding the at
titude he should take in the Vergara
case. but apparently he did not attach
4 lIupOItdnC0 u tuo uuClutut, par
ticularly In view of the later dispatches
telling of the fact that the Texas rangers
did not cross the border. He Is still
awaiting full reports on the killing Of
Vergara. He did not think his govern
nent would be inclined to make much OF
| the removal of the body.
Ammunition for Gunboat.
Mexican constitutionalists. It becam,
known here today. are busily buying am
munition in this country for the gunboa
Tampico, which they captured last week
with the object Of attacking Guaymal
and other western coast federal towns.
1t also became known that the chic
reason for the delay In attacking TorreoI
has been the lack Of ammunition. Larg
supplies have been shipped to Gen. VII,
recently. and 1t Is now said that he 1
fully equipped with arms and ammuni
ton and is ready to begin the attack Oh
Torreon.
Confirmation Of the defeat Of the Mexi
can federal forces by the constitutional
SITS at Alamira. ten miles from Tampico
| racaiyed at he Navy Dana rfpnepf m