CIVIS BRITANNICUS SUM.

Timaru Herald, Volume C, Issue 15290, 6 March 1914, Page 6

CIVIS BRITANNICUS SUM.

The official report obtained by Mr Bryan states that Mr Benton, a British subject resident in Mexico, was shot down in cold blood by General Villa, on whom he had waited, unarmed. President Wilson has stated that if General Carranza. Villa's nominal superior, insisted on his right not to deal with the' American Government in connection with a British grievance, " a very grave situation would be produced, and in that event the United States would be compelled to take action." . Carranza has almost assumed that attitude. Sir Edward Grey has stated that while Britain has no intention to send an armed force to Mexico, she does not intend to let the matter rest without securing reparation. Meanwhile Mr Benton's sister has become impatient of delay, which she fears may end in practical ignoring of the outrage. She demands, "Can English men and women no lon ger depend on their country for protection and redress?" The proud and passionate appeal, "Civis Britannicus Sum," will surely commami sympathy anJ respect. It need not command instant warlike action. Britain went to war once with Spain because an Englishman had had his ear_ cut off* The people rung their bells when war was announced, and wrung their hands, as a great statesman told them they would do, before it was coneluded- There must be other ways of extorting reparation fo«* Benton's death besides that of causing thousands of other Britons or Americans, or both, to be killed also in a warfare which might not have an early end. If America is forced into war with Mexico it will be much against her will, and no one will envy her the task of enforcing the Monroe doctrine or the rights of Englishmen by the invasion of such a country. But, by other means it is to be honed, reparation must ultimately be extorted. Carranza may bluster for the moment—he is only a guerilln ohief—but he and Villa must In time be mode to recoonise that "Though circuitous and obscure, The feet of Nemesis, how sure!"