Turbulent Mexico

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 201, 23 February 1914, Page 5

Turbulent Mexico

llKill-IIANDIOl) CEXKRAI/S MKTIItIDS. SHOT WITIIOL'T TRIAL. INVIOSTKJATIOX ORD'iOR 101). By CabU—Press Association—Copyright New York, February 20. The American Consul at .Inure/, announces that lienton lias been executed at El l'aso. lie wan accused of plotting against Ccneral Villa's life and \va» court-maitialled and led before a firing sijiiad without the slightest opportunity of appealing to bis own countrymen for aid. Tlifi'e is great public indignation at 101 l'aso. Americans characterising Villa's action as wanton murder. A mass meeting to protest has been called. Washington, February 21).

Sir ('. A. Spring-liice, British Ambassador. lias placed Die details before .Mr. Bryan of Benton's execution in Mexico. Mr. iiryan has wired for further information and ordered an investigation. According to information received by Sir C. A. Spring-Kice, Benton, who was a wealthy ranch owner, protested against Villa, committing depredations on h'is estates. Benton hotly told Villa that lie considered him a bandit. '

American reporters interviewed Villa after Benton's disappearance, but Villa denied all knowledge except tlint lienton threatened him with a revolver. He asked the reporters what ought to t>e done under such circumstances. The reporters suggested laughingly that Benton ought to he shot. Villa answered lightly, 'Tve got him Hare." Benton was then dead and huried, as was afterwards discovered.

A SERIOUS TURK. AMERICAN" INTERVENTION MAY HE PRESSED. Received 21, 0.30 p.m. New York, February 21. At F.l Paso, Texas, the police prevented an open-air meeting to protest against Benton's execution. Fearing trouble, residents then met at the theatre and condemned American affairs [and the American Government's bad management in Mexico. A hundred Mexican refugees joined the protest. Speakers accused the L'nited States of being guilty of aiding the lawless element through its vacillating policy. Benton's maternal grandfather participated in the "Light Brigade" charge at Balaclava. Other relatives ure oflivers in the British Army. The whole of Texas is worked lip into intense excitement, as Benton waa popular throughout the Southern States

and was known'as a very brave men. His wife, a -Mexican lady, is prostrated with grief. She declares that Benton never carried a revolver, and was not participating in any Mexican plots. Washington, February 21. •Mr. Bryan, Secretary of State, conferred with Sir C. Spring-Rice, and President Wilson conferred with Cabinet regarding the Benton murder. Diplomatic circles generally 'believe that Great Britain will now press for United States intervention.