REBELS IN MEXICO.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1993, 25 February 1914, Page 7

REBELS IN MEXICO.

EXECUTION OF BENTON.

CABLE FROM GENERAL VILLA:

PUBLISHED IN LONDON.

By T&tefira-ijh—lPreea A?tbciotit) 11—Copyriplit Lonxidn, February 23. In this House of Commons Sir Edward Gro.v, Sectary of Stato for For«K». Affairs, in reply to a question ill the House of Commons, said that previous to Mr. Ikiitoii's execution hv -the Moxican rebel leader, General Villa", tlra United States impressed on the Mexican Government the importance of respecting tile lives and property 0 f Ewoptaus, Tho feet that tho British Foreign Office was communicating with tho united States did not imply any American responsibility, lie- had con\];r\ui.ucjitod witli tho United States because the latter alone •Could exorcise influence over Mexico to sot jnstieo done. Sir Jv.hvani Grey aiMc/l tl>at ilio American Consul had stated that Villa had explained that Benton had been court-martiallod and shot for plottine to assassinate him. Mr. F, D, Acland, Barlinmentarv oeftrotary to tho Foreign Office, in reply to a question, said tins continued fmhtlngia Mexico \m causing t'ho greatest prejudice to British and other commercial interests. It ivas a matter of grave concern, but British intervention v.'ould bo futile and impolitic, "Times";—Sydnej "Sua" Special Gables. "Daily Mail" has received the folkm-hus cable _ message from General Villa,. tlio Mexican rebel leader, stat* mg;-~ "An English subject named Benton was put to dea'tli because ho went into my foora and .pulled .out his revolver to kill me. Wheit tho t-iiiie comes tke trial will he open, and I will givo full satisfaction to tho British people."

' sill E. GREY'S STATEMENT, . "BRITISH HELPLESSNESS.". (lt'-'c February 24., 11-.5 p.m.) London, February 24. ( The "Daily Mail" sa.vsi-^'Sir Edward Grey's statement was disappointing. and rnvo tho impression of complete British .helplessness. It should bo pointed out Unit Villa had no right to court-martial a British subject, tis Britain never fccagnisod tho belligerents' standvisg. Sir Edward' Grey's statement was unsatisfactory, and liis assumption that ia no ppssibto circumstances can Britain take direct stops to bring home responsibility for the death of a, British subject goes far iiej'dwl tho average Britofi's idea of our towards Mexico. Sir Edivard Gwy scorns to be iiielmed 'to treat tho murder with a coul philosophy al'torfothoi' out of haiftony Vvi4i tho nation's toolings. Englishmen do not wish to embarrass Washington, but will .not- consent to regard the murder as a negligible incident."

LAItGE FRENCH INTERESTS. MUST BE PROTECTED. (Bee, February 24, 11.0 p.m.) Parts., February 24. • The newspapers- camuieiHuig on Beiir ton's execution l intimate that if the United States is unable to assure Europeans' safety in Mexico, the Powers will have themselves ty undertake the protcctinii of tlreir Otfiiiitfymeii. It- is estimated that France has .C ioo,QUf»,<j(jf> invested in Mexican enterprises. ' UNITED STATES POLICY. ■ CON'FJCRJiXCK BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. (Rec. February 21, 0.4"> p.m.) . _ Washington, February 23. lhe I'ofeign Relations Committee conferred with President Wilson in regard to the lientun case and arranged to confer with the Senate behind closed doors oyer tho Mexican question. ft fe QHdmtoad i'n .(ilfiftit'i circles that the United States will pns-s tlw facts reMing to Mr. Benton over to Britain without comment. It is difficult to de"i • f ilat aot «'h the United States should take, as unless it intervenes. Mexico will bo uuablo to bring .Villa to aceonpt.' ,®t C. Spring Rico (British Aittbassador) has had frcqaent coiifcrehc&s witli Mr. Bryan (United States Secretary for State,) iho British refugees. If Genera) Villa wins an important pending battle • around Tori-ecu, the baited States will most fj'keiv consider the question of the rebels belligerency in Mexico City. General Villa, in an interview, declared that Mr.. Benton, after being' eoHrt-martiiifled, confessed that he attempted Villa's life. General' .f ilia furtlicr says tkat his Quickness ivifcfr itis own revolver alone saved hinn lie add- : ed that-he won Id execute any other for-. cigncr in similar cmiditions and that i lie had nothing to conceal. .

AMERICANS DISAPPEAR. [ SAID TO HAVE UEKN EXECUTED. - Jaursz (Mexico), JYb. 23. ; Pour Ansciicaiis liavu dis%esvrbd. } It is believed that General Villa executed them. Villa declares thnt numbers of Americans (!esir&| to jo mi his forces, hat that no rojentM them, wtiiriiiiy; them later to American territory. Sir, Bryan <Unite.d Si ate* Secretary o. Male) has dcfliatuM that HenUm's body shall be pivon to the widow. ' GOVERNMENT TROOP TRAIN WHECICKI). ; EBA?V CASUALTY LIST. ! Vera Cruz, February 23, OtjVGn.niTC'iit troop tinii\, Mi iii.fiiii.try eemiiari.Y to Mexico City, was wrccEcd ki' dynamite. the whole train was d«a«Kdiei • Fift.y-fivo officers and men and ail English engineer were killed. A passenger train following narroivlv escaped, getting away under the rebels' fire.