Evening star., 1914-02-23
HANDS OFF MEXICO,
IS BRITISH POLICY

ID ODhllOnTULIUl
Continued from First Page.)
dence and fair consideration thereof,
Villa and his revolutionary bands had no
, status as belligerents which ent tied them
to try the subjects Of other powers by
court-martial. If this presense at q
court-martial should be the only result
of the inquiry being made by the United
States government, the obligation OF the
United States to act as the mandatory OF
civilization will remain"
The Globe says: "The result Of the in
quiry conducted by the United States
government will be awaited with re-
strained emotion, but it will have to be
very conclusive in It's justification of the
act inquired into If it is to satisfy not
only British, but we are inclined to think
American opinion as we'll"
Obliged to Act Promptly.
Referring to President wilson's refusal
to recognize Gen. Huerta as provisional
president of Mexico the Globe asks: ''If it
be proved that Villa has unjustifiably
done to death a peaceful British resident
how can the principles which condemn
Huerta be reconc:led with the approba-
ton and support of his adversary? AS
the American government has undertaken
to protect British subjects in Mexico. its
obligation to act promptly and effectively
in the present case is clear
The Standard says:
I'VE cannot believe that the United
States government intends to refer
Great Britain to Gen. Huerta for sat
isfaction. Such a policy would be In
consistent with the sense of RESPONSE
bility which President Wilson must
feel for Mexico. It cannot be supposed
that President Wilson is feeling easy
in his mind over the murder of Ben
ton. He has not only the relations Of
the United States to Mexico to think
Of but also the soundness and the
popularity Of his own policy"
The Westminster Gazette takes the
stand that Villas proceedings in re-
gard to Benton must be legal. as the
rebels have never been recognized The
government organ concludes: The in
vestigation may possibly show that
Benton himself was responsible for
the dreadful fate meted out to him. but
short Of that we believe public opin-
ion on both sides of the Atlantic will
demand that the murderers of Benton
be brought to book
Hasty View Not Taken.
The papers as rule show no ipclina-
ton to take hasty or extreme views of
the execution of Benton, but agree that
Great Britain looks to the United
States for the protection of her sub
1ects in Mexico.
The Daily Telegraph calls for suspen-
sion of judgment. pending investiga-
ton by the Washington government.
and adds that the position of the Amer
lean government is difficult and en-
barrassing, for. It continues. the Presi-
dents decision to remove the embargo
L.
followed by an incident which seems
to show that whatever Huerta's crimes
may be. his record is no worse than
that Of the men who pose as true sup
porters of constitutionalism' in Mex
leo"
The Times editorially also counsels
suspension of judgment pending the
American inquiry.
After that" says the Times. 'it will
be time to take means to secure such
satisfaction as the nature OF the deed
may demand"
The paper protests against views re-
ported to be current in the United
States that according to international
law Great Britain's complaint lies
against Huerta. not against President
Wilso.', and says:
No Legal Complaint Made.
1T is true we have ~ legal ground
for complaint against President Will
son and have never dreamed of max
ing such complaint. But to refer US
to Huerta for satisfaction for crime
perpetrated by the chief rebel in arms
against his government is one of those
legal technicalities which border on
cynicism."
The Times declines to credit the re-
mort that the Washington government
still believes in Villa and will expect
Great Britain to accept his defense OF
the so called execution"
The Daily Graphic contends that the
United States is responsible for villa s
good conduct, but that II 1t refuses 70
intervene. President Wilson must not
Complain il, in self-defense, Great Britain
and possibly other aggrieved powers take
| measures for the protection OF their in
| terests In Mexico.
The Daily Mail says:
How long. we may ask. does the
J President of the United States propose
to allow Mexico to founder In her pres
ent morass Of anarchy" This paper de-
clares American citizens themselves are
| the sufferers by the chaos which they
not only permitted. but encouraged and
| adds:
| Limit to Forbearance.
| There Is a limit even to British for
bearance and that limit is within sight
i NSN~H
In a country where the United States de-
/, clines either to restore order itself or al
low any one else to do So"
The Morning Post. attacking President
Wilson's waiting policy. says:
THE moment has arrived. we imagine
when Americans will share the expecta'
ton cherished in England that Presiden
Wilson either will announce his plan Of
obtaining security for the lives and prop
erty Of foreigners In Mexico or declare
that the Monroe doctrine and the policy
of the United States are not opposed t.
action by other countries to secure tht
welfare OF their own subjects in Mexico" !"
/ The Daily Express takes similar view
II declares that the Monroe doctrine be
comes "a grotesque and intolerable sane
tion." il it means that the United State!
cannot or will not protect persons pur
suing their lawful affairs. and that othel
governments are barred from protecting
| their own subjects.
Huerta Press Expects U. S.
to Turn Its Back on Villa
| Because of Benton Affair
MEXICO CITY. February 23.-El I'm
parcial and Ell Pals. the former re
-.aad aa a semi-of1ciaI organ anf