The Van Buren press., 1901-04-20
HONE FROM VENEZUELA
United States Minister LOOMS, to
Venezuela, Has Arrived in
New York City.
HIS INFORMATION FOR The PRESIDENT,
He Does Not Hesitate, However, to
Brand the Alleged Interview ut
San Juan as Largely Made Up of
what He Didn't Say During n
Pleasant Chat.

New York, April 1S.-Frank b. Loo
mis-, United States minister to Nene-
zuela, spent the night in quarantine
with the rest of the passengers on
the Red d. 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 Gas.
tro. and AYERS that an injustice has
been done him in this respect 70 a
reporter, who met him at quarantine,
Mr.. Locmis said:
Minister LOOMS MisIuOtcd.
81 did not say any of the unpleas-
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 il was more a pleasant
chat than anything else. There were
other passengers aboard and present
who said some uukind 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 nine.
! am quoted as saying that President
Castro drew but S12 900 year salary,
yet he made $2,00O 900 in two years,
Now. | do not even know positively
that the president gets the salary
named, and | knew nothing of any
money he has made. must also deny
that | said he plotted to secure my
recall or removal.
For Ohicial Ears Only.
81 can not discuss the recent diplo-
matte incident with Venezuela. There
are several points in connection with
it that | will report on to tha 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
prejudice, 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 it has subsidized,
and our relations at the present time
are quite satisfactory. ! can not say
how long It will take to reach n deci-
sion in The asphalt cases; ] presume
the law has its delay in Venezuela as
elsewhere.
Az 10 President Castro,
"Presdent Castro seems TO have
the country quite under control. A
constitutional convention, the cley.
enth they have had, believe, has ad.
jonrncd, and there is TO be an cleo
ton In the autumn. II is quite Ger.
tain that Castro will be elected pres.
idcnt 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 Ncnczuclnns there
thinking Of home and anxious to inn
prove the political condition, am
told Andrade plans an expedition to
Venezuela, but | do not anticipate