Jasper County Democrat, Volume 16, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 March 1914 — BRITON’S BODY WAS BURNED BY VILLA [ARTICLE]

BRITON’S BODY WAS BURNED BY VILLA

Reported Rebel Destroyed Benton’s Remains at Juarez. GENERAL’S AID IS HELD Stated That Carranza Commissioners Arrest American Marines Ready to Land in Vera Cruz.

City of Mexico, March 13. —Persons having large ’fhterests in Chihuahua have received a report that the reason General Villa continues to play for delay in the delivery of W. S. Benton’s body Is that It was buried near the house of Col. Valentin Onate, next door to Villa’s head: quarters at Juarez, and that when an effort was made to recover the body Villa ordered It exhumed and burned. Villa A|d Held for Murder. Juarez, Mexico, March 13.—1 n the reported arrest at Chihuahua city of MaJ. Rodolfo Fierro. “Pancho” Villa’s chief lieutenant, constitutionalists in Juarez see the first step toward giving Great Britain satisfaction for the death of William S. Benton. Information gathered by the Carranza commission is said to Indicate that M*j Fierro was Benton’s slayer. It is also said that the commission ‘gathered convincing evidence that CoL Fidel Avila, in command of the garrison at J oarez, ordered the execution of Gustav Bauch, a GermanAmerican. who was tried as a spy, but In whose case no verdict was returned. Evidence has been given to the Carranza commission that Benton was killed in General Villa’s office by Major Fierro, The commissioners insisted that he be kept under surveillance until their inquiry was completed Americans who arrived from Chihuahua admitted they had heard of Major Fierro's arrest, but said it was for the murder of two railroad men. 1.2C0 Marines Ready to Land. Vera Cruz, Mexico. March 13 Every preparation has been made for a large excursion of American marines into Mexico City if there is need for such action at any time Every railroad bridge, conduit and trestle between Vera Cruz and the capital city has been measured and photographed by tourists in civilian dress, and other sportsmen have had great luck in the streams near by sounding with lines attached to fishing tackle. It is understood that the American warships off this port can produce a fully equipped force of 1.200 marines within half an hour after an order is given. The men are ready for immediate action.

Bryan Aids 150 Japanese. Washington. March 1 3.—Secretary Bryan has promised the Japanese ambassador. Viscount Chinda, to get permission for the passage of about one hundred and fifty Japanese through American territory from El Paso, Texas, to Calexico, in the extreme northwest corner of the Mexican state of Sonora. These Japanese, reduced to an extremity by lack of work, owing to military operations in northern Mexico, will new’ seek employment as cotton pickers. The ambassador made it plain that no colonization scheme was involved: Colquitt in New Plan. Austin, Tex., March 13.—Governor Colquitt announced he would confer with party leaders over the advisability of calling a special session of the legislature to consider measures for protection of the Texas frontier.