The Forrest City times., 1901-04-19
HOME FROM VENEZUELA.
United States Minister Loomis, to
Venezuela, Has Arrived in
New York City.
HIS INFORMATION FOR THE PRESIDENT.
He Does Not Hesitate, However, to
brand the Alleged Interview NJ
san Juan Largely Made I'D of
what He Didn't Say During =
Pleasant Chat.

New York, April 1s.-Frank Il. Loo
mis-, United States minister to Nene-
zuela. spent the night in quarantine
with the rest of the passengers on
the Red ID. liner Caracas, on which he
came from Porto Rico. On disem-
barking Mr.. LOOMS drove at once to
the Hotel Victoria, where he will be
quartered until the end of the pres
ent week, when he goes to Washing
ton to report to the state department
and President Mckinley. He gives
positive disclaimer to the authorship
of the San Juan interviews. in which
he was made to say some severely
critica. things about President Cas-
tro, and AYERS that an injustice has
been done him in this respect. To a
reporter. who met him at quarantine,
Mr.. Loomis said:
Minister LOOMS Misquoted.
ant things that have been. attributed
to me about President Castro during
my stay at San Juan or anywhere
else. The fact is, | like Mr.. Castro
very much. / was interviewed at San
Juan, but it was more pleasant
chat than anything else. There were
other passengers aboard and present
who said some unkind things, but |
certainly did not. | can not under
stand how the criticisms were put in
my mouth unless the views of the pas
sengers alluded to were made mine.
! am quoted as saying that President
Castro drew but 1000 year salary,
yet he made $1,000 600 in two years
Now, | do not even know positively
that the president gets the salary
named, and L knew nothing of any
money he has made. l must also deny
that | said he plotted to secure my
recall or removal.
For OhicIaI Ears Only.
~ can not discuss the recent diplo-
matte incident with Venezuela. There
are several points in connection with
it that l will report on to the de-
partment. and, naturally, they are
quite confidential. may say, howev-
er, that the preliminary steps toward
legal settlement of the asphalt case
have been taken in the Venezuela
courts. This is precisely where our
| government wished the dispute TO go.
We insisted that the dispute be sub
mitted for adjudication without
| rejud1ce, and carried our point. /
do not say that our government does
not reserve the right to intervene if
| justice is not done, but we want the
matter passed upon by the courts
| There was some feeling at the height
| of the incident, but il has subsidized.
and our relations Mt the present time
are quite satisfactory. | can not say
| how long it will take to reach a deci-
sion in the asphalt cases; / presume
the law las it's delay in Venezuela as
elsewhere.
As to President Castro.
Presiden mt Castro seems TO have
the country quite under control. A
constitutional convention, the elev-
enth they have had / believe, has adj
| Journed, and there is 10 be an cleo
ton In the autumn. 1t is quite GER
tain that Castro will be elected pres
ident and inaugurated next spring.
| The constitutional convention has
changed the tenure of the president
from four to six years. Andrade is, |
am told, at Curacao, and | feel that
the report is true, for there is gen
orally colony of Nenezuelans there
thinking of home and anxious to inn
prove the political condition. / am
told Andrade plans an expedition to
Venezuela, but | do not anticipate
any tire uble for some months"