The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-03-02
BENTON INVESTIGATION COMMISSION
HALTED JUST WHEN READY TO START
WORD COMES FROM STATE DEPARTMENT JUST AS MEMBERS
WERE ABOUT TO STEP ON TRAIN-SAID REBELS
REFUSED TO LET THEM BOARD THE TRAIN
Given Out Washington Trip BE Made Until After
Exchange Of Notes With Caranza-Belie,ed Latter Is
Not Hostile But Msunderstands Position of u. S.

Great Britain instead OF the United
states should deal with him concern
ing the death OF "A British subject.
coupled with the broad intimation
tnat all communications on ,interna-
tional affairs should first be addressed
10 him instead OF General villa or
any other OF his subordinates. iniucted
new complication into the situation
and the expedition TO chihuahua. ar
anged 10 start from ri Paso today.
vas postponed
President Wilson and Secretary
Bryan had a long conference last
night and most OF the afternoon was
spent In reading the notes OF Car
rama and other dispatches. After
wards Secretary Bryan motored to
the British embassy and informed Sir
Cecil SpringRice. the British ambas-
sador, that the expedition TO Chihua-
hua, where Benton's body Is. had been
abandoned until satisfactory arrange
ments could be made with General
Carranza.
instructions Not Divulged.
Just what instructions have been
sent TO American Consul Simpich at
Nogales. who Is in touch with Gen.
eral Carranza, was not divulged. but
representatives of Carranza who un-
derstand the American viewpoint
were busy telegraphing the Constitu-
tlonalist commander tonight urging
change of attitude. Carranza's Is
friends here believe he does not un-
derstand exactly the position of the
United States with reference to all
foreigners in Mexico and are seeking
10 impress upon him that when deal
ing with the United States he is. in
effect, treating with the agent OF
Great Britain, as England and other
powers have practically entrusted 10
the Washington government the task
OF looking after its subjects in north
ern Mexico practically at all points
where there are no British consular
representatives as at JuareZ
That CarranZa will realize this and
change his attitude Is the confident
expression of his friends here Wash
ington officials said they did not inter
pret Carranza's notes as unfriendly.
That CarranZa really was offended be-
cause the United States addressed its
first communications about the Rem
ton killing to American consuls in
touch with General Villa, was the gen
erally accepted explanation here Of
ms declination TO submit information
10 Washington about Benton's death.
The principle which the American
government has been following in
dealing with General villa and others
mas been one of practical expediency
Direct to Csrranza
ON the assumption that Carranza
IL the chief Of the movement. IL is
more than likely now that III the
american government on behalf of
( Great Britain seeks raparation for the
Benton killing. representations Will
he made directly 10 him. Failure or
INABILITY on CarranZa's part to COM
ply would be regarded as having an
important bearing on the relation OF
the United States government to the
future of the Constitutionalist move
ment
Officials here admit being consider
aDlV perturbed over Mexican affairs
/ they VIII wait. however for Villa and
Carranza to give the world the facts
on the Benton episode before declar-
ing the next step.
Secretary Bryan stated positively to-
day that the American government
tcontirued on Page Eight)