The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-05-29
STANDING BY MR. LOOMIS
The State Department Not Moved
by President CastrO's Charges.
Statements Credited to the Yeuezu-
elan Executive Not Regarded Seri-
ousIy-Thc American Minister Crit
icfsed-The Asphalt Controversy

The New York Herald" prints this
morning an interview with President Cas-
tro- obtained by a staff correspondent who
was sent to Caracas soon after the de-
pa~ture from that city for Washington
of Francis B. Loomis, the United States
Minister
The correspondent quotes President cas-
tro as saying, among other things. that
he regrets Minister LOOMS interference
with the asphalt question, which was be-
ing adtudicated by the Venezuelan courts;
that while the asphalt dispute was at its
height large sums Of money were receiv-
ed to be used in influencing the press of
the country; that he does not believe Mr.
LOOMS acted in conformity with the
wishes of the State Department, as the
controversy is between two American
companies; that he does not think Mr.
LOOMS win be sent back to Venezuela,
because he believes the United States is
inspired with the best wishes toward his
country, and that American life and cap
itaI are safe in Venezuela
4 prominent State Department official.
whe1 shown the interview today, said that
this Government was not inclined to take
General Castro's statements seriously
at is certain" said this official, that
Mr.. LOOMS win be requested by this
Government to return to his post in Ven
ezuela as soon as his health improves.
He is now in Europe and will report here
in about six weeks. Whether he viii de-
sire to return TO Caracas is another mat
ter but can officially state that there is
no disposition OF the part of the United
States to oblige Venezuela by refusing
to send Mr. Loomis there Us its official
representative.
There are a lot Of statements in this
interview which no conservative official
would have made. General Castro ac-
cuses our minister Of having used his
Official position to aid the Asphalt Trust.
! He persists in this even after this de-
plrtment has made an official investiga-
tion of the charges and found them to be
/ without foundation. OmciaIly the State
Department viii pay no attention to Cen
eral Casro's charges, but viii send Mr..
/ Toomis to Caracas as soon as he is able
to resume his duties
General Castro is quoted as saying that
he never presumed that the United States
/ had any part in the attitude taken by
Mr.. LooEnis. This Government has long
| ago officially assumed responsibility for
| Mr. LOOMS attitude while in Venezuela
and has endorsed all that ne has done
This reply should be clear enough to sat
/ isfy. General Castro
/ The interview ia the Herald follows:
| After listening to brief statement from
the correspondent as TO his purposes, Cen
/ eraI Castro began to speak He spoke
fuentIy. As ne talked his eyes lost their
/ lack-lustre expression and his face light
ed uD.
! Our Republic he said. enjoys per-
feet peace There is no disturbance any
where. nor do we expect any We are
! dedicating all our time to arranging our
| internal affairs and promoting the prospe-
| ity Of the VenezueIans. 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 ii refers to IS the asphalt
| controversy, which is at present in the
| tribunals, where it VIII be decided What
IS to be regretted in this question is that
! a person invested with an official char
| acter seems to have taken part in the af-
fair 1 refer to Mr- Loomis.''
| I had heard many stories Of the use of
money by both sides in the asphalt fight
| and I asked
DO you know Of any bribery in the as
phalt controversy, or whether any at
| the tribunals of Venezuela o.
I ignore completely whether any per
! son tried to bribe the parties you indicate,
and I am sure that none of them is cap
able of being bribed- What know is that
large sums OF money have been spent to
| get part ,-f the Venezuelan press to favor
| the interests OF the New York company
This is public and notorious as also the
fact that while the dispute was at its
height large amounts Of money were re-
| eeived by an individual. and it is indi-
Gated that the last sums received by him
were between $4,000 and S250g0''
1T is said in the United States that
American life and capital are not safe in
venezuela, and that American capital is
not desired here"
The first assertion is so false and alb
surd, said General Castro with a shrug
coutradicted by any person who may visit
! Venezuela from abroad With regard TO
the second question, can only say that
lately I tried TO negotiate loan in the
| United States of America, which I sus-
pect has fallen through owing to the in
huences and work Of Mr.. LoOmis 1t is
! well to mention that AIr- Loomis was the
| first person to indicate to me that it was
possible to obtain the loan in America.
! Through his mediation Mr. Meyers. who
| was to have carried out the operation.
came TO Caracas, and Mr.. LOOMS was
present at all the conferences with the
/ said financial agent"
| I asked President Castro what would
| take place if the United States Govern
| ment decided to send Mr.. LOOMS back to
Caracas
| Il do not think that the United States
Government viii send Mr. Loomis back
| To Caracas" he replied, because con
| slider that Government inspired with the
best wishes TO maintain cordial relations
| with Venezuela, as We desire that the
same be daily more and more sincere and
cordial. never presumed that the Unit
/ ed States Government could have any
part in the attituGs assumed by Mr.
Loonis-"
rs it true that the State Department
has sustained Mr.. Loomis in all he said
and in all he did?'
Mr. LOOMS, in an official note, said
that he acted in conformity with instruc-