Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-04-18

DaFInlPDI ana tG6Slutll AICNllitA II =
gives positive disclaimer TO the au-
thorship Of the San Juan interviews il
which he was made to say some Sc
verely critical things about President
Castro. and AYERS that an injustice
has been done him in this respect. To
an Associated Press reporter who met
him at quarantine yesterday Loomis
said:
Said Nothing Unkind OF Castro.
II did not say any of the unpleasant
things that have been attributed TO ms
about President Castro during my
stay at San Juan or anywhere else
The fact is, | like Mr.. Castro very
much. l was interviewed at san Juan.
but it was more Il pleasant chat than
anything else. There were other pas
sengers aboard and present. VINO said
some unkind things, but l certainly did
not. cannot understand how the
criticisms were put i'll my mouth un-
less the views of the passengers al
luded to were made mine. | am quoted
as saying that President Castro drew
but $4,000 Il year salary. yet had
made 81 600 600 in two years. Now.
do not even know positively that the
president gets the salary named and l
know nothing of any money he has
made"
No Plot A saiust the Minister.
II must also deny that | said he
plotted 10 secure my recall or removal.
j cannot discuss the recent diplomatic
incident with Venezuela. There are
several points in connection with it
that l will report on to the depart
ment. and naturally they are quite
confidential | may say, however. that
the preliminary steps toward a legal
settlement of the asphalt case have
been taken in the Venezuela courts.
THAT is precisely where our gov
ernment wished the dispute TO go.
We insisted that the dispute be sub
nlitted for adjudication without preju-
dice. and carried our point. | do not
say that our government does not re-
serve the right to intervene if justice
is not done. but we want the matter
passed upon by the courts. There
was some feeling Mt the height of the
incident, but it has subsidized, and our
relations at the present time are quite
satisfactory. l can not say how long
it will take to reach Il decision i'm the
asphalt cases: | presume the law has
its delay in Venezuela as elsewhere.
president Castro seems to have the
country quite under control. A con-
stitutional convention, the eleventh
they have had, / believe, has just
adjourned, and there is to be an cleo
tion in the autumn. 1t is quite GER
tain that Castro will be elected presi-
dent and inaugurated next spring. The
constitutional convention has changed
the tenure of the president from four
to six years. Andrade is. / am told.
at Curacoa. and | feel that the report
is true. for there is generally Il colony
OF Venezuelans there thinking of home
and anxious to improve the political
condition. | am told Andrade plans
an expedition to Venezuela. but l dc
rot anticipate any trouble for some
months.
''NeneZuelans who have discussed
Andrade with me say that while he is
we'll Informed. rather able and quite
broad minded. he is lacking i'm strength
ard too kind-hearted to make a sue
cessful ruler. They say that another
leader. younger man, will be brought
forward to oppose President Castro.
However. of all these matters | have
no personal knowledge and am merely
telling you what Nenezuelans say.
THE Barcelona incident, in which
our consular agent was twice arrested
by local officials in an attempt to
eStort money from him. has been
practically closed. and in manner
quite satisfactory to MS. Our govern
ment directed me to demand an apol-
O2y and the fullest reparation. Just
before leaving was given assurance
that the fullest amen y will be made
l believe that the ASST -ances given ne
viii be carried out"