The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1914-02-26
SAYS BR|TON TRIED
TO KILL GEN. VILLA
Record Ascribes Execution OF
Benton to Defiance Of Chief.
BRITAIN GIVES CASE TO u. S.
Government Requests Ambassador 20
Get Complete Report Of Murder
From Byan-Fear Felt for
Other Aliens.
BRITAIN GIVES CASE TO U. S.

JuareZ, Feb. 2i.-William s. Ben
tons resistance to General Villas bar
ring him from Mexico brought on the
execution Of the British subject and
owner of a 100,000-acre ranch in Chi.
huahua according to the record Of the
court-martial that condemned Benton
to death It was charged that he tried
TO murder Villa while resisting the
generals decree.
The accused" says the report,
was arraigned, and having been ad-
vised to name some one to defend
him, Capt Mariana Tamez was desg-
mated for this purpose, and was
warned to defend Benton Loyalty"
There was no further mention OF ac-
tivity on the part Of the captain.
villa" continues the report, states
that because Benton was a foreigner
his property has not bee nconhscated'
but he must remain out Of the coun.
try because he was an element de-
structive Of the peace and prosperity
of the country,
THE accused answered In harsh and
violent terms and asserted that no hui
man power could keep him out OF
Mexico or cause him to desert his
property to further deprodations.
Then he said he was as good
man as Villa and at the same moment
he drew a pistol from his hip pocket,
But the general was ready and Jumped
for him and struck. at the same
time the persons present leaped on
him that he might not make an at
tempt on the life of General Villa"
The record gives Benton's testimony
indirectly as follows:
He said he came at 10 or II o'clock
in the morning to see General villa
and inform him that revolutionists or
at times parties OF bandits had done
much damage to his ranch, destroying
property and stealing cattle. He had
come TO tell Villa of these things, but
the general accused him of being
friendly to the federals, and suggested
that the rebels buy the ranch. as the
witness was not wanted in Mexico.
THE witness told General Villa that
he was unjust and several other
things that annoyed the general, but
witness had no intention Of harming
the general or any one else. lie said
he had nothing to do with IIuerta or
the red laggers and was Indifferent
10 the politics OF the country. This
was all he had TO say"
Washington, Feb 2i-Prcsident
Wilson and Secretary Bryan conferred
briefly on various phases Of the Mexi.
can situation Saturday. 1t is under
stood a complete report on the execu-
ton at Juarez Of William S. Benton.
the British subject, Is awaited before
the view OF this government toward
the incident IL made known, The
British embassy has asked that in.
quiry be made as to Laurance and
Curtiss, two Englishmen who are re-
ported to have gone to Juarcz with
Benton, and that CONSUL Edwards
has been asked TO investigate.
The state department is active in
seeking to protect Gustaye Bauch, n
German-AmcriCan, who, It was report
ed. had been executed in Juarez along
with Benton. Secretary Bryan re.
ceived word from Consul Edwards
saying BauCh had been removed to
chihuahua.
A telegram from r. n. Dudley OF Fl
Paso, Tex, to Senator FAN, declaring
Benton was murdered like n dog"
was read In the senate at the request
OF Senator Fall He also had read
telegram from the El Paso mass
meeting which had denounced the ad.
ministration's handling OF the Mexican
situation
London, Feb 24.-The British gov
eminent has not taken any action
in regard to the execution Of William
s. Benton beyond instructing Sir Ce-
ell Spring Rice, ambassador at Wash.
ington, to obtain from Secretary Bry.
an all possible information on tho ar
fair.