The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-23


tnen. Lawrence and Curtis OF whom
friends In lei Paso say that since they
went 10 Juarez last week they have not
been seen and that they believe the two
men have been executed by villa The
British embassy has not requested the
State Department to make any inquiry
regarding the two. According to unofii-
ciai reports from the border the reports
that the men have been executed are not
receiving full credcnce even In I'll Paso.
A report that Gustav Bauch. the Ger
man American, who when last seen was
held a prisoner by villa In Juaroz, hal
been transferred to prison In chihuahua
has been forwarded to the State Depart
ment by Consul Edwards.
villas Agents Issue Statement.
Agents OF villa in Washington con-
tinued to-day their efforts to Justify the
execution of Benton as In accordance with
military Law and the necessities OF the
case. They issued n statement attacking
his character and declaring that he had a
reputation Of bad man" OF the bo. dei.
This description liz quite contrary to the
testimony Of friends and acquaintances or
the dead man. The Constitutionalist
agents here also declare that Benton was
him OF having shot and killed inoffensive
Nexicans against whom he had grudges.
The trial and execution Of Benton, a
pretended British subject" II is declared
in a telegram said to have been received
from Nilla to-day. was absolutely Justi-
fled. In addition to tine many crimes COM
mitted by this man under the protection
of T,rrazas and Creel he tried to assas-
stnate me in Juarez on the 18th inst.
managed to disarm him and still have his
loaded revolver In my possession. He
was duly tried by a military commission
and sentenced to death. fail to see how
the mere fact that he claimed to be for
eigner should have afforded him immunity
from punishment for the most serious Of
fences"
Says Proceedings Were Regular.
Another telegram said to have been re-
ceived here this one from one of Villas
lieutenlnts and given out by the Junta
In Washington, Is az follows:
Benton had nothing In his own right.
lie managed to marry inta well known
Mexican family and in this way acquired
an interest in the Rosario ranch. the iitle
to which has long been matter OF dis
pute. Many of the cientitcos who left
Mexico recently and come to El Paso
transferred their holdings to Benton hop
ing because OF his supposed British ma
tionality to save themselves from the con-
sequences OF their crimes. Benton's
record throughout chihuahua Is very bad
and his character was Identified by all
that was uuarrelsome and offensive. lie
was loud partisan Of Porfro Diaz ana
openly boosted ~ his approval OF Huerta.
lie mistrcated many poems on his ranch
even To the extent OF taking their lives.
''rhc proceedings In his case were en-
tirey regular and the sentence justif-
able"
The statements made by the citizens OF
.,,I al, ,t,ax
IN Mexico are also the subject of attack
by the rebel agents here.
THE American public must not let II.
self be overwhelmed by exaggerated re-
ports from FL Paso. where there are for
midable groups OF Cientficos and Huerta
partisans who delght in painting our
every act AS an outrage. Gen. villa In
ordering Benton tried by IA military COM
mission acted in u lawful manner and the
record Of the proceedings shows that fact.
II tho General had been the ruthless ban
dit the friends of b. nton describe him To
lie he would have shot him on the spot
rather than have handed him over to be
dealt with by the law.
AT this stage OF the affair 1t Is inter-
esting to note the personnel OF the self
constituted committee in FL Paso who are
30 loudly advocatins drastic action. inter-
venton and what not
Practically all the leaders are hand In
glove with the Terrazas and Creel families
and have for years profited by this init
macy. One OF them. II may be added. Is
VIGOROUSLY one of the most immoral men
in the southwest having at various times
been under the scrutiny OF the Federal
authorities as an alleged white SLAYER"
Rebels In Fenr of concurrence.
The protestations o. the Constitutional
lists IN the Benton cas-. and theh forts
TO reflect not only on the character OF the
nrft shar l.,,t ola nh
Of the Americans at FL Paso are regarded
here as significant ihere Is no doubt felt
in Washington but that the revolutionst
leaders see growing out OF the Benton case
consequences vastly more serious than
was dreamed OF by Villa when he brought
about his death.
The indignation over Benton's execu-
tion is believed to have been recognized
by the revolutionists as something far
more serious than any similar expressions
Of public opinion since the troubles in
Mexico began. There is no doubt but that
the revolutionists are as much opposed 20
American intervention Is President
Huerta himself. and 1t is assumed that
they see In the agitation over the Benton
death a step nearer such action upon the
part OF the United States by means OF
creating II public sentiment unfriendiy TO
them In their role OF the saviors OF
Mexico. ...
Much comment Is being heard here on
the fact that while Villa, ever since ne
has been at the fore OF the revolution, has
been constantly in hot water in regard
TO his treatment of foreigners there is
not single case against Huerta In which
he Is charved with III treatment OF Amer
toaas or other foreigners In Mexico.
MEXICAN VIEW OF WILSON,.