The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-31
MINISTER LOOMS RECALL.
The state Department Satisfied Win
His Course ut Caracas

u
Frank B. Loomis. United States Minis
ter at Caracas. who has been bitterly it
tackled in the Venezuelan press on ac-
count of his activity in looking out for
American interests in the pitch lake con-
| troversy and other matters In which citi-
zens of the United States are concerned.
| has been ordered home by telegraph. IL
is expected that he will leave on the first
steamer
1t is said upon reliable authority today
| that this Government Is very much DIS
| satisfied with the attitude OF the VencEuc-
| IAN Federal authorities generally. and
President Castro particularly Their con-
duct in the recent troubles in the asphalt
region and in cases of alleged petty perse-
cution of Americans residing in Ven
ezuelg IS regarded as unfriendly They
have. 1t is explained. shown no disposition
| to meet the United States half way in the
settlement Of pending disputes and have
assumed an attitude OF defiance.
One of the recent cases that has caused
this Government to chafe Is that of Igna-
clio H. Baiz, Danish subject who rep-
resents the United States as Consular
Agent at Barcelona. Venezuela. He was
arrested, according to the reports to the
State Department for refusing to make a
and put in Jail until the money was paid.
Instructions to make a rather stiff de-
mand for an explanation were sent TO Mr..
LOOMS. but up to this time he has APP
parently received no response from the
Government at Caracas, as he has not
informed the State Department on the
subject since the instructions were sent.
Press reports have said that Mr.. Baiz
was arrested a second time, but ne con
firmation of these have come officially.
From what has been said in official
quarters. it is apparent that the Govern
ment has concluded that the Castro Adj
ministration must be dealt with severely
to secure respect for American interests.
1t is not probable, however that any de-
cision as to a course of action will be
reached until after Minister Loomis gets
here.
officials that the recall of Mr.. Loomis
was not due to any dissatisfaction with
his course in caring for the interests of
the United States There was some talk
about the matter. and the President and
secretary Hay expressed thorough ap
proval of what had been done by Mr..
LOOMS. At the State Department 1t was
said that Mr.. Loomis had not exceeded
his Instructions in any action he had
taken. While it Is believed that there
has been no formal complaint against the
minister bY lnt NeneZueiau Government.
it is known that he is not popular with
the Castro administration. and the
chances are that he viii not be sent back
to Caracas. Mr.. Russell the First Sec
rotary Of the American Legation there.
viii be Charge dAffaires III the absence
of Mr.. Iioomis.
Senior Pulido showed surprise and in
terest when told that Mr. LOOmis had
been recalled. He indicated that he would
not return to Venezuela Just now. al
though it is understood that he had been
granted leave Of absence, and was pre-
pairing to starr for Caracas He has re-
ceivcd advices that General Castro, who
became de facto President of Venezuela
through his capture of Caracas and the
flight of President Audrade. has been de-
ciared provisional President, pending an
election.
The return to La Guayra at this time
of the United States gunbOat Scorpion
has significant bearing on the Nene-
zuelan situation She arrived at La
Guayra Yesterday from Port OF Spain
Trinidad. 1t is understood that she was
ordered back at the request OF the State
Department.