The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-02-25


stated at the Jefetura that Renton's
last request was that his property be
turned over TO his widow.
The execution OF Benton comes
on the heels Of a secret interview be.
tween Villa and Gen. Scott on the
international bridge here Saturday.
Gen. Scott already had sent villa
a copy Of rules governing civilized
warfare. and while the conference
Saturday concerned the establish
ment OF n neutral zone at Torreon.
tho American general took occasion
to renew his advice that Villa OBJ
serve the rules OF war and treat all
prisoners fairly.
Tho resolutions adopted tonight
read:
+ Whereas. Mr.. william 8. Benton,
a highly respected and honored citi.
zen of the State Of chihuahua and a
subject OF Great Britain, was
brutally murdered and aasas-
sinated at Ciudad Juarez, Mex
leo. by Francisco Villa, we. tho
citizens OF FL Paso. Texas. and refu.
gees from Mexico. at an indignation
meeting held In FL Paso February 90.
1914. wishing to protest most en-
phatically against the cruel and vio-
lent treatment accorded foreigners
during the past three years Of rev.
olutions in that country. beg to sub
nit to the world and the American
people the following brief statement
Of facts:
Tho coldblooded and heartloss as
sassination OF Mr.. William 8. Benton
without any cause whatever other
than the fact that he went to Juarez
to protest against the cOnfiscation Of
his property, Los Remedies ranch In
northern Mexico. which had been re-
pcatedly looted. is but another crime
to be added 10 the hundreds that
have already been committed against
foreigners living In Mexico who have
been driven from their homes, their
property destroyed. In many cases
women have been outraged and for
eigners murdered In cold blood and
for no other reason than on account
Of their nationality.
I'VE believe that the state depart
ment at Washington has persistently
suppressed facts concerning the true
conditions in. Mexico and endeavored
through inspired newspapers and
by other means to mislead the Amer
lean people and form public opin-
lon for political purposes In support
OF a policy that Ia runious to all
foreign interests In Mexico and to
the Mexican people themselves. In
support OF this statement. we would
call attention to q recent article in
the New York World. which pur-
ported to be a semi official inter-
View coming from the secretary OF
states once and which stated that
while q great many Americans had
lost their lives In Mexico not one
had been murdered solely on account
OF his nationality
This statement We know 10 bs
absolutely Salss and wo believe
there are reports on file in the state
department from our own consuls
to the contrary. We recall in the
last few months such cases as the
assassination Of Mr.. Burton at San.
tn Rosalia, Mr.. Hayes and Mr.
Thomas at MADEIRA, and Mr.. Brooks
In northern chihuahua, and In every
ono OF these cases they were most
brutally murdered for no other rea-
son than they were American citi-
xens.
Some months ago the state depart
meht ofilcially declared In one Of It's
messages to Mexico that 1t would hold
the Mexican leaders personally re-
sponsible for crimes committed against
Americans. The present moment our
government 10 harboring Gen. Inez
Salaxar who has an unbroken record
ever since he took the field In Mexico
OF outrases committed against our
citizens. There are many citizens Of
this city who were cruelty and brutal
ly treated by this man. many Of whom
have been held for ransom. and at
least one. Mr.. Dountain. who was shot
by his order, and thus far he has been
immune from all punishment by our
government.
AT tho present moment Maximo
Castillo. who for many months mas
been at the head OF an outlaw band
In northern Mexico holding our citi.
zens for ransom. and perpetrating all
kinds Of outrages. whose bands recent
ly burned alive between so and so
nm Co1, T..