The Topeka state journal., 1914-02-21

stop Mexico from wallowing in this sty
Of corruption and cruelty
The Globe, after asking what is go
ing to happen in case investigation
proves the guilt of Villa. says:
1.-The United States has not only the
responsibility involved in its assertion
OF the Monroe doctrine, but the re-
sponsibility of having supplied Villa
and the rebels with arms, thereby
promoting the lawlessness which has
had such grievOus results for British
lives and interests. President Wilson
has gone too far to shrink from going
farther
Rebel Official Version.
Washington, Feb. 21-Roberto v,
PesQuiera. constitutionlist agent here,
made public the following telegram
from constitutiOnalist headquarters at
Juarez:
II ton entered Villas apartment
very Unexpectedly, demanding protec-
ton for his interest. and bitterly in
sulting Villa and the constitutionalist
army. General Villa told him that he
considered him an enemy to the con-
stitutionalist cause and that in order
that he might not continue to work
against it. he Villa was going to pay
him the value of his property, (Ben-
ton's) in the state of Chihuahua.
Benton became very exasperated
at this, and drew his revolver intend
ing to kill the general, but the latter
Immediately knocked him. down., dis
armed him and sent him to jail. Ben
ton was afterward tried by special
military tribunal. sentenced to death.
and duly executed, all in accordance
with the laws and usages of war;"
Announcement that Benton met
death in Juarez after a court martial
ordered by Villa, was made today by
Secretary Bryan, who said he had no
Pr IvfH of 3vrr1 nf fnr1
came in a dispatch from Consul Ed
wards at Juarez who said he had read
the court martial proceedings which
were forwarded by mail to Washing
ton. Secretary Bryan communicated
Consul Edwards latest message to Sir
sador, and instructed Consul Ed
wards to demand adequate protection
and q fair hearing for Gustave Bauch,
and American citizen for whose safe
ty in Juarez. grave apprehension has
been felt. Friends of Bauch in Ell
Paso have telegraped Representative
Smith of Texas, he had been shot as
q spy. No report has been received at
the state department today on the re-
ported disappearance of two other
Englishmen. Lawrence and Curtis. who
were said to have gone to Juarez to
search for Benton.
"NIurdered Like o Dog.''
WaSn1nRtOn. FeO. Zl.-A telegram
from r. N. Dudley of Ell Paso, Texas.
to Senator Fall. declaring Benton was
murdered like dog" was read in
the senate today at the request Of Sem
ator Fall.
He also had read a telegram from
the Ell Paso mass meeting.
II am almost certain Villa did it in
person." said the telegram from Dud-
ley.
The News in Mexico City.
Mexico City. Feb. 21.-The story of
the execution of William s. Benton
by the rebel Villa is displayed today
under large type headlines in all the
| Spanish and English newspapers. Ell
impartial labels It 1.-The new assassina-
ton. which has Mortified even the
dupes captured by the execrable ban
dit" 1t declares Villa killed Benton in
| cold blood, afterward ordering a f1cti-
| tious court martial in order to cover
his act of murder.
Ell Pals predicts that the affair will
provoke a conflict between the chan
cellories Of London and WASHINGTON e.
independents refers to the crime as
having been committed with all the
retinements Of cruelty.
The leaders of the British COLONY hers
are contemplating calling a mass meet.
! ing OF British residents, to make rem.
resentat1on on the subject and to de.
| mano from their government more ad
equate protection for their country
men, residing in rebel territory,
The affair is widely discussed in th.