The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-29
GOES AFTER LOOMS.
President of Venezuela Gets
Back at U. s. Minister.

New York. May ga dispatch to the
Herald from Caracas says:
The correspondent of the Herald has
just obtained an interview with Presi-
dent Cipriano Castro, under unusual
circumstances. The interview was OBJ
tanned in the presence of the minister
of foreign affairs, DR.. Blanco, sur
rounded by interpreters In order that
General Castro's message to the United
States might reflect accurately his
views it was first revised by him in
English, translated into Spanish and
revised again, rewritten in Spanish as
to certain expressions and translated
into English again.
Our republic said General Castro,
enjoys perfect peace. There is no dis
turbance anywhere, nor do we expect
any. We are dedicating all our time to
arranging our internal affairs and pro-
noting the prosperity of the Venezue-
lans. We do not see any cloud on the
horizon. With regard to any supposed
wrong misunderstanding with our sister
republic of the United States we have
nothing to fear, because the matter
that it refers to is the asphalt contro-
versy, which is at present in the tri-
bunals where it will be decided. What
is to be regretted in this question is
that a person invested with an official
character seems to have taken part in
| the affair. 1 refer to Mr.. Loomis.''
DO you know of any bribery in the
asphalt controversy, or whether any at
tempt was made to bride the officials
of the tribunals of Venezuelan was
asked.
Il ignore completely whether any per-
son tried to bride the parties you indi-
cate, and I am sure that none of them
is capable of being bribed. What I
knew is that large sums of money have
been spent to get part of the Venezue-
la tn a 10 inf nj q
tain company. This is public and nOtO-
rious, as also the fact that while the
dispute was at its height large amounts
| of money were received by an individ-
ual, and it is indicated that the last
sums received by him were between
$50. 600 and $25, 0o0'
1T is said in the United States that
American life and capital are not safe
/ in Venezuela, and that American cap
ital is not desired here"
1.-The first assertion is so false and alb
surd.' said General Castro with a shrug
of the shoulders, that leave it to be
contradicted by any person who may
visit Venezuela from abroad With re-
gard to the second question. I can only
say that lately I tried to negotiate a
loan in the United States of America,
| which suspect has fallen through
| owing to the Influences and work of
Mr.. LOOMS. It is we'll to mention that
| Mr. Loonfs was the first person to in
| dfcate to me that it was possible to
obtain the loan in America Through
| his mediation Mr.. Merers who was to
| have carried out the operation, cane to
| Caracas. and Mr. Loomis was present
at all the conferences with the said
| financial agent"
! President Castro was asked what
would take place if the United States
| government decided to send Mr.. Loomis
/ back to Caracas.
II do not think that the United States
| government will send Mr.. Loomis back
/ to Caracas he replied. because con-
cid he
| best wishes to maintain cordial rela-
| lions with Venezuela, as we desire that
| the same be daily more and more sin
cere and cordial. never presumed that
! the United States government could
| have any part in the attitude assumed
] by Mr.. LOomiS.
us it true that the state department
has sustained Mr. LOOMS in all he said
! and in all he did?'' was asked
Mr.. LOOMS, in an official note, said
that he acted in conformity with in
could only be true in determined
/ sense
I President Castro was next asked
/ what would be done in the affair of
Messrs. Gage and Bartlett, two Ameri-
can citizens who were arrested by the
/ police in LaGuayra.
ITO my knowledge there is nothing
pending in the matter. Mr.. Gage is here
/ at present and has been presented to
/ me. He is a gentleman of culture, a
| friend of Venezuela and says that he has
/ no IaulC TO ma Win TINS country
what are the probabilities with re-
gard to the future prosperity and tran
/ quillity of Venezuela ''
I'VE have had to overthrow three rev.
olutions; we have passed through an
/ earthquake; we are experiencing low
] prices in coffee and the drought now
existing is running the crops. 1 do not
! despair. however. With peace the cOun-
try will soon be again prosperous
DO you think it probable that there
| will be any revOlution2"
sAs the republic ardently desires
/ peace it is not to be expected that there
/ has the sympathy of all persons Of in
4 1uence of any Importance. I will add
! that my government IS strong and is
1 prepared accordingly I am prepared.
/ I have good army and have mater
| ials of warfare in abundance which
I probably shall never have occasion to
use"
] President Castro was then asked about
his intended trip throughout the inter-
Tor of the republic, and in answer he
/ said:
L intend to carry out the trip. viii
4 go first to the state Of Los Andes. and
on my return here will proceed to the
] state of Bolivar and to the other states
to the east of the republic. I consider
this trip of great Importance as it will
put me in close contact with the pop
ulation, and thus allow me to get a
| knowledge of the wants of the inhabit-
| ants
Before closing the interview President
Castro manifested his earnest desire to
maintain with the United States and
with all foreign nations the most cor
dial relations of friendship.