THE BENTON MURDER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16485, 26 February 1914, Page 7

THE BENTON MURDER.

MORE QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE. THE GOVERNMENT'S ACTION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, February 24. Sir Edward Grey, in reply to Mr Bonar Law, said that the Government had asked the United States to inform General Villa of the feeling created in Great Britain. He also considered it indispensable that the British Con-; sul should visit Juarez and supply the: most adequate report. VILLA'S ALLEGATIONS. TELEGRAM TO AMERICAN AUTHORITIES. ACCUSATION AGAINST BENTON. MEXICO CITY, February 24. General Villa has telegraphed to the American authorities that Bedton was guilty of four murders and frequently committed thefts of cattle. . Benton had attempted to assassinate him, and he therefore duly executed him, according to martial law. Villa declared that he is ready to give an account of the execution to the whole world. An American citizen, named Vergara, has been hanged by the Federal troops, after the American request for his release had been forwarded. BRITISH CONSUL TO INVBSTI- ■ GATE, (Received February WASHINGTON, February 24. The British Ambassador, Sir Cecil Spring-Rice, is satisfied that the United States Government is taking the best course in the Benton case. The. British Consul, at Galveston has been ordered to proceed to El Paso to investigate Benton's murder. FEELING IN CONGRESS, INTERVENTION INEVITABLE. " Times "—Sydney "Sun" Special Cables. WASHINGTON; February 24. The lobbies are humming with apprehension- and indignation over Benton's death. The consensus of the comment is that America must investigate the tragedy carefully. There is also a tendency to believe that intervention has been rendered practically inevitable. THE ALLEGED ATTACK. VILLA'S VERSION. " Times "—Sydney " Sun" Special Cables. MEXICO CITY, February 24. Villa informed journalists that Benton gained an entrance to his office on th©' pretext of personal business. He had not talked long when he produced a revolver. Villa grabbed Benton's hand and thrust his own revolver in the pit of his 6tomach. He did not wish to appear bloodthirsty, therefore he did not shoot him. The guards were summoned, a courtmartial was held and Benton wa3 executed.