File No. 312.41/111a.
The Secretary of State to Consul Letcher.
Washington, February 23, 1914, 11 p.m.
Department’s February 23, 1 p.m. If authorities object to exhumation of Benton’s body, endeavor to impress upon them the great importance of its immediate disinterment and its examination by competent and impartial physicians. In no other way can the impression be avoided that an effort is being made to suppress the facts. Such an impression would necessarily give rise to the most unfavorable inferences, would increase resentment and would further complicate a case already sufficiently grave. You are authorized to employ both medical and legal assistance, if you deem it desirable. Telegraph result of these representations.