The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-21

serious aspect has been placed on the
Mexican situation by the disclosure to-day
that William 5. Benton. u Scotchman.
subject of Great Britain and for twenty
nve years ranchman In northern Mex co.
had been killed in Juarez, presumably
either at the hands or direction Of Gen
villa. the rebel leader In command at that
place.
The incident Ii regarded as OF the
highest importance internationally be-
cause Of the traditional policy Of Great
Britain in leaving nothing undone to
compel respect for her subjects abroad
and seeking the punishment OF those
responsible for the death or injury of her
citizens. Because Of what seems to
be the unusually fragrant features Of the
Benton killing II Is believed here that
II puts squarely up TO Great Britain the
question of what she is going to do
about conditions In Mexico which en-
danger the life OF her subjects In that
country. The United States Government
will have. OF course. the keenest interest
in whatever course the British Govern
ment decides upon when Informed OF the
killing of Benton.
Official notice OF the death OF Benton
was received by Secretary Bryan to-
dny In dispatches from Consul Edwards
ut Juarex. In response to request from
the British Ambassador. Sir Cecil Arthur
SUflNk-kltt. IAN sVSt'ANo'
instructed Consul Edwards to make an
Investigation In Juarez as TO the where
abouts of Benton. whose relatives were
becoming anxious regarding his fate.
British Envoy Notified.
Consul Edwards saw Gen. villa In per-
son and from him obtained the fact that
de spatch to this effect was received at
the State Department the British Am
bassador, who had called in search OF
! information, was informed OF the Con-
suls report. The Ambassador Indicated
that he could do nothing further until
/ he had communicated the fact to MS
Government and received instructions Mr.
Bryan meantime has instructed Consul
Edwards to make a complete investiga'
ton as to the circumstances and manner
/ Of Benton's death.
II appears from information received
here that Benton was killed on the night
/ Of Tuesday last. lie was last seen alive
on the same day when he was making
his way to the house OF Villa to pro-
test against the damage his ranch
had suffered at the hands Of men under
Villas command. His failure to reap
pear following his visit TO Villas house
alarmed his friends and relatives and
a search was instituted for him.
1t 10 reported that villa AT first denied
all knowledge Of Benton and that his
subordinates were evasive. but that yes
terday he admitted he knew some.
thing OF his Whereabouts and accused
him of threatening him. and finally to-day
admitted that the man was dead. That
Villa may have killed him with his owr
hand IL not regarded az improbable. and
II is not believed that even In Juare,
Benton could have been arrested. tried
convicted and executed all in the after
noon and evening OF Tuesday, and II II
known that he was killed on Tuesday
night.
The hasty departure Of villa fol
the south on a special train Immediately
after II became known In Juares that
Benton was dead Is regarded here a. q
fact giving the case an ugly ap-
pearance. While Villa has been talking
for many weeks Of his intention to leave
toon' for the south to direct the at
tack on Torreon there had been until this
morning no signs of his preparing to carry
out his announced intention. Dispatches
from the border to-day are regarded al
indicating that villa has fled to escape
the storm OF protest arising from the
death OF Benton.
That Great Britain IL In a peculiarly
difficult position with regard to the Bentor
case Is admitted here, assuming that she
will Wish to observe her traditional polio,
OF securing the punishment OF those re-
sponsible for the deaths of British sub
jects In foreign lands. Her hands rs vel
as those of other European nations. ar,
regarded as more or less tied by the &C
cession TO the request of the United Statei
that no action be taken by those Govern
ments In Mexico until tho United State
has made known Its policy. Were It no
for their Difference TO the United Statel
there IL little doubt Great Britain and tn
European nations would have taken SOM
action In Mexico long ago.
While additionally the United State
Government has no objection to European
Governments taking such measures a.
they see ut for securing the safety an,
rights OF their subjects In Latin American
countries. the nature OF the situation Il
Mexico will make II unusually difficult 70
, Great Britain to find any way of bringinI
punishment to bear on those responsible
for Benton's death. Juares 10 not n sea
port and therefore cannot DO reached b.
a British warship bearing demands 10
British vengeance. Villas Night to tn
south will make II difficult even for tn
British authorities to present any peace
: full demands to him. much less back thet
up with armed force.
: Great Britain recognises tho Huert
Government, but Jaares and tbs Who'll
State of chihuahua have been for 20 lon
In the hands Of tho revolutionists thu
Huerta does not even claim 70 sxsrcis