File No. 312.41/125a.

The Secretary of State to Vice Consul Simpich.

[Telegram—Extract.]

[Résumé of above correspondence re Benton.]

Unofficially represent to Carranza the advisability of ordering Benton’s body exhumed and delivered to relatives or Collector of Customs El Paso at once. The body will furnish best possible proof [Page 850] of what occurred and a failure to deliver body is being used as basis for charge that court martial was held after Benton’s death. We are doing everything in our power to ascertain the facts and British Government is relying on us to do so. Rush telegraphic reply.

Bryan
.