The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-04
Benton Incident Cause
OF This Intention by
United States.
TENSION RELIEVED
TO SOME EXTENT
Great Britain's Pronounccment
Gratifying to Washington Off
cials-President and Secre-
tary Bryan in Conference
With Sir Cecil spring-Rice
and Sir Lionel Garden.

washington. March 3-C;reat Brit
am pronouncement through Sir Ed
ward Grey that the United States was
III no way responsible for the recent
execution at Juarez OF william $. Bon
ten. British subject. and that the
American government would nor he
asked to resort to force as n result of
tho Incident, to-day was the chief fac
tor In tho Mexican situation.
fresident Wilson, In conference to-
night with Sir Cecil Spring Rice. the
British ambassador. and Sir Lionel
Garden, British minister to Mexico. Is
understood to have expressed Ills an
proval and appreciation of the friendly
scntim ents uttered by the British For
eign Secretary in the House OF Com
mons.
Tension. which had been felt here
over the killing of Benton. arose large
iy because It was believed Great Brit
ain might press the United states Into
taking drastic steps to obtain rcpara-
ton The British view that the United
States Is not obligated to demand rep
aration for Great Britain. relieved the
tension 10 some extent. although 1t is
clear that the Benton incident has de-
veloped an intention on the part or tho
American government TO take a more
aggressive attitude toward the con-
tending factions In Mexico.
Entire situation Discussed.
The entire situation was discussed
at length tonight In the conferences
II was the first time the British am
bassador had called on the President
since the Benton execution. al his con-
ferences having been with Secretary
Bryan. Hc came primarily tu Introduce
Sir Lionel Garden. whose intimate
knowledge OF tho political and dlplo-
matte situation In Mexico city enabled
him to give the President frst-hand
information on conditions there.
White House officials said after
wards the conference was for mutual
information" and that no plans had
been suggested by Sir Lionel The lat
ter. who Is ell route TO London. had
been attacked In the American press
as unfricndly to the American policy
In Mexico His meeting with the Pres
ident was most cordial The presi-
dent received his visitors In the nri-
vate parlors of the White House. Later
Secretary Bryan attended dinner in
honor OF Sir Lionel given ut the Brit
ish embassy
The conference with the President
~ is understood. was arranged 20 en-
nhasize the friendlness OF Great
britain To the United States in it's
handling OF the Mexican problem. Sir
Lionel expects to return to Mexico
aiier =. ms visit In London, and IL is be-
ilcVed he assured the President or his
own desire To follow the policy OF the
british government I'm interposing no
obstacle To the handling OF the Mcxi-
can question by the United States.
Way Hnre important Result.
In some quarters 1t was suggested
tnat the interview eventually might
nave an important result, as Sir Lionel
would pe able to convey to Provisional
president Huerta an idea Of the un-
altcrable determination or President
Wilson never to recognize the Huerta
governments
SIR Edward Grcys statement In Lon
aon was received through tho press
In time to he read by the President AT
to-day's Cabinet meeting.
1t procured q favorable impression
some OF the Cabinet officers referrin.r
70 II rs ~ hiSh-minded declaratior.a
me days Developments were accepted
ns showing clearly the close co-opera
ton between the United states and
Great Britain in the Mexican sitl,a
uon, n circumstance which it is be-
ileVed would make n deem impression
on the Mexican factions
While definite Information as 10 the
rate of Gustav Bauch, the American
citiZei supposed to nave been killed by
Ionstltuuonalists, and Clemeta Yer
CARA. another American. reported muir
dered by Mexican F'cderals. was lack
ing, II Is certain there viii he no Let
up IN the efforts OF the American gov
ernnent TO obtain complete investica-
tlons.
word was being awaited to-day from
'eheral CarranZa as to whether he
would persist in his attitude. DENYING
the right of the United states to in
auire about British subject which
matted the expedition OF commissioners
VINO were To examine Benton's BODY
Cnrrnnzg Advised To Chnngc
chrranzas $ friends here have been
teiegraphing the Coustitutlonalist chief
advising change In his position, but
no word had been received by them no
TO late to-day.
Tint the United states again may
communicate with Carranza seeking
protection FOR Spanish subjects was In
timated by Secretary Bryan to-day.
representations have been made to tho
united states on behalf or n Spaniard
named Ruiz, and II is likely the Arneri.
can government will make inouirics
70 Carranza for him. Though thero
nave been tntsmations in press dis
patches that the same answer would ho
extended To inquiries about Spanisb
subjects as was given about English
subjects the determination OF the
American government TO continue TO
act for other nations has not been
altered
These phases OF the situation and
Carranza's attitude occupied much OF
the time of to-day's Cabinet meeting.
Somo administration officials expressed
the opinion that while Carranza may
not have intended to be unfriendly to
the United States In denying the right
or this government 10 make INQUIRIES
about foreign subjects. he had pro.
drced an emha rrassing situation.
Failure TO comply with the American
viewpoint In this case, it was agreed
might lead to serious complications 4