File No. 312.41/93a.
The Secretary of State to Special Agent Carothers.133
Washington, February 19, 1914.
British Ambassador advises Department of receipt of a telegram from a Mrs. Benton, dated at El Paso, in which she says that her husband, William Benton, British subject, went to Juarez on February 17, and after a heated discussion with Villa was thrown into jail. It is stated that when friends of Benton visited Villa in Benton’s [Page 843] behalf Villia replied. “I have not got him prisoner. I saw him this morning. I decline to talk any more on the subject.” Mrs. Benton expresses fears for her husband’s life and Ambassador desires this Government to make inquiries and use good offices with Villa and to secure Benton’s liberation. The matter is reported as most urgent and the Department desires you to give it your immediate attention. Department is also communicating with Consul at Juarez.
- Similar telegrams to Consul Edwards and Vice Consul Simpich.↩