The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1914-02-26
BLAST WIPES OUT
ENTIRE COMPANY
OF HUERT|STAS
Fifty Officers and Men on Train
Slain by Rebels.
PASSENGERS ARE FIRED UPON
Bryan Is Warned by Enslish Envoy
Sir Edward Grey Tells House OF
Commons of Crisis Due to
Villa Outrage.

Villa Outrage.
Vera Cruz, Feb. PA government
troop train carrying company of in
fantry from Mexico City, destined for
Jalapa, was blown up by rebels near
the Lima station Of the Interoceanic
railway. 40 miles from Vera Cruz. The
entire train was demolished. All on
board, including 55 officers and men
and the English engineer, were killed.
A passenger train, which was follow
Ing IN the wake of the troop train, was
fired on by the rebels, but escaped by
backing rapidly.
House of Commons Gets Report.
London, England, Feb. 24.-The his
tory of the Benton affair az contained
In the information furnished to Sir
Cecil Spring-Rice. British ambassador
to the United States, by the state de-
partment at Washington, was com
municated in official form to the house
Of commons by Sir Edward Grey.
When the British foreign secretary
said that Sir Cecil Spring-Rice had
told Secretary of State Bryan that
the public opinion Of Europe was like
ly to be seriously affected by Villas
attitude, an encouraging cheer rolled
through the house.
Crowded House Eagerly Listens.
A full house listened with intense
interest to the explanations given by
Sir Edward Grey and by Francis
Dyke Acland, parliamentary under
secretary for foreign affairs. They
both spoke OF the British govern
ments attitude and discussed their
communications with Washington.
Sir Edward Grey explained that
Great Britain did not hold the United
States responsible for Villas acts, but
he said the British government was
powerless to take any measures in the
disturbed regions.
Several members questioned the
secretary for foreign affairs to make
sure that the government was taking
all possible steps to learn the facts
of the Benton case
In his talk to the house of com
mons Sir Edward Grey declared that
Mr.. Bryan while refusing to be held
responsible for Villas doings, prom
ised a thorough inquiry. He said de-
tails would be forthcoming and ex-
pressed deep regret at the occurrence.
"Juarez is close to the United States,
frontier and we have no means of ex-
ercising influence in those regions I'M
der existing circumstances. | am in
communication with the British am
bassador mt Washington and with the
United States as to what further steps
can be taken"
Asked About Other Europeans.
Sir John Rees asked whether Sir
Edward Grey had any information
concerning other Europeans who are
said to have disappeared in Mexico.
Sir Edward replied;
mo, but ! have telegraphed to Sir
Cecil Spring-Rice, suggesting for his
consideration what steps it would be
possible to take In this disturbed re-
gion to ascertain the whereabouts OF
these people"
In the course OF his explanation Sir
Edward Grey read telegram Sir
Cecil Spring Rice had received from
Mrs. Benton at El Paso, which was
AZ follows;
Il beg to advise your excellency that
my husband, Benton, a British subject,
went to Juarez and after a heated dis
cussion with villa was thrown into
| jail. A friend visited villa on his be
| half. villa said i have not got him
in prison. ! saw him this morning.
and refused to talk further on the sub-
! ject."
Hands OF" viii Be Policy.
THE pacification of Mexico is an OBJ
! ject we honestly desire to zee accom-
! plshed, but 1t Is impossible to effect
! 1t by British Intervention. We do not
intend to make any attempt OF that
character, which would be both futile
and impoltic."
This Ia the attitude OF the British
| foreign Office an outlined by Mr.. Ac-
land.
Mr.. Acland informed the house that
the British government has been In
| frequent communication with the gov
eminent OF the United States and
Mexico AZ TO the protection of Britieh
| lives and property
The continued fighting in Mexico
he added, "is of great prejudice to
British and other commercial interests
and Is matter for great concern"
Mr.. Acland promised to lay the pa
pers on the subject OF Mexico before
the house OF commons az soon as pos
sible
Senate ls Anxious to Act.
Washington, Feb. 24.-Upon the de-
velopmeuts OF the next day or two IN
tho case OF William s. Benton, tho
British ranchman, executed by villa.
the constitutionalist general, at Juarez,
seems to rest whether the senate will
take hand In the Mexican situation.
Acting Chairman Shively OF the for
eim relations committee after con-
ference with President Wilson said II
the senate dIacussed Mexico It prob
ably would be upon some of the pend
ing resolutions. which for months have
been sidetracked. that the administers
Two Deaths Are Sudden.
Racine Mrs Walter J. Blossom.