Villa's Act.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 47, 25 February 1914, Page 5

Villa's Act.

THE MEXICAN CRISIS. j ' INTERVENTION INEVITABLE^ I [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] i Times— Sydney Sun Special Cables (Received 8 a.m.) Washington, February 24. ■ The Lobbies are humming and apprehensive with indignation at Benton’s death. The consensus of comment is that America must investigate the tragedy carefully. There is a tendency to believe that intervention has been rendered practically inevitable. i OPINION IN FRANCE. (Received 8 a.m.) Paris, February 24. The French press gravely insists that it is pure folly for President Wilson to risk a conflict with England by humoring General Villa, and maintains that French interests require protection. VILLA’S STATEMENT. Mexico City, Febuary 23. ! General V illa, in an interview, declared that Benton, after being courtImartialled, confessed to making '■ attempts on Villa’s life. \ ilia’s quickness with his own revolver alone saved him. He added he would execute any other foreigner under similar conditions, and had nothing to conceal. PRESS COMMENT. London, February 24. The Daily Mail says that Sir Edward Grey’s statement is disappointing. He gave the impression of corn--1 plete British helplessness. He should have pointed out that General Villa had no right to court-martial a British I subject as he was never recognised as a belligerent. I The Standard says Sir Edward Grey’s statement is unsatisfactory. The assumption is that in no possible circumstances can Britain take direct steps to bring home the responsibility of the death of a British subject, and goes far beyond the average Briton’s idea of our disinterestedness towards Mexico. Sir Edward Grey scorns inclined to treat the murder with cool philosophy, altogether out of harmony with the nations feelings. Englishmen do not wish to embarrass Washington, but they will not consent to regard the murder as a negligible incident. BRITAIN MOVING. (Received 11.30 a.m.) London, February 24. j Earl Grey, in reply to Mr Bonar Law (leader of the Opposition) said the Government had asked the United (States to inform General \ ilia of the |feeling created in Britain. Also that jit considered it indispensable that the (British Consul should visit Jaurez and I supply the most adequate report.