New-York tribune., 1901-04-18
ASPHALT CASE IN COURT.
MR. LOOMS SAYS 1T IS WHERE THE
UNITED STATES WISHED IT TO GO.
PRELIMINARY STEPS TO SETTLEMENT
TAKEN - GENERAL CASTRO To BE
ELECTED RESIDENT-MINISTER
DENIES FORMER REPORT
INTERVIEWS
ED INTERVIEWS.

Francis B. Loomis, United States Minister to
Venezuela who, as announced in The Tribune
yesterday. has just returned from that country,
was at the Hotel Victoria all day yesterday.
In the evening he dned with friends and went
To a theatre
Mr.. Ioomis has grown full beard since he
left this country and as a result his appear
ance is considerably changed. The climate of
Venezuela affected his health somewhat, and
he intends. he says to take a long rest. He ex-
poets TO remain absent from his post for fully
five months, and as as he makes his re-
port In Washington and completes some busi-
ness he will go to Europe Mr.. Loomis will go
to Washington Saturday.
Speaking last evening of the asphalt dispute
in the country TO which he is accredited. and
the developments which led to his return home.
Mr. Loomis said:
There are several points in connection with
it that | will report on to the department, ana
naturally they are quite confidential | may
say however. that the preliminary steps toward
a legal settlement of the asphalt cases have been
taken in the Venezuelan courts. That is pre-
ciseIy where our government wished the dispute
TO go We insisted that the dispute be sub
mitted for adjudication without prejudice.
There was some feeling at the height OF the
incident. but it has subsidized
president Castro seems To have the country
quite under control y constitutional conVen-
ton has Just adjourned. and there is TO be an
election in the autumn. tits quite certain tnat
Castro will be elected President and inaugurated
next spring. The constitutional convention mas
changed the tenure of the President from four
to six wears Andrade is, am told, at Curacoa
and | feel that the report is true. for there Is
generally n colony of VeneZuelans there think
ing Of home and anxious to improve the political
condition. | am told Andrade plans an expedi-
tion to Venezuela but l do not anticipate any
trouble for some months. Fenezuelans VINO nave
discussed Andrade with me said that whlle ne Is
well informed. rather able ana quite proau
minded he is lacking in strength and TOO klho
hearted to make a successful ruler. They say
that another leader. younger man. VIII De
brought forward to oppose President Castro
..The barcelona incident, in which our con-
sular agent was twice arrested by local officials
in an atteupt TO extort money from him, has
been practically closed, and in a manner quite
satisfactory Just before leaving Venezuela l
received assurance that the fullest amends VIII
be made l convinced personally that the
assurances given me will be carried out DO
not expect to return to Venezuela for at least
five months. Four years in the tropics mas
left me in need of change and rest
Il am not decrying Venezuela. 1t is splen-
did country / did not say any unpleasant
things about President Castro during my stay
al San Juan, or, indeed, anywhere else nave
refraned from doing so, and the fact Is L like
Mr.. Castro very much. was lhterNieWeu d'
San Juan but 1t was more Pheasant chat than
anvthinp else There other passengers
aboard and present, who said some unkind
things but l certainly did not 1 cannot under
stand how the criticisms were put in my mouth
unless the views of the passengers referred to
We're made mine
One of the subjects about which Mr.. Loomis
will consult the State Department is a reclproc-
ity treaty with Venezuela
mo formal proposal in this line has yet been
made" he said but the matter has been dis
cussed, and will probably receive serious atten-
ton
rs ii a fact that the present government in
Venezuela is hostile to the United States" was
asked
II cannot answer that question: Mr. Loomis
replied. but I say that many VeneZuelans
friendly to us
Referring again to General Andrade in answer
to a question, Mr. Looms said: 1T is freely
stated that he and his followers hope to organ
iZe a revolutionary movement. l know nothing
of this, however. Such gossip is always flying
about"