The Irish standard., 1901-04-20
He SETS HIMSELF RIGHT.
Minister Loomis Positively Denies
Authorship of the San Juan
Interviews.
DID NOT cRITIcIsE PRESIDENT CASTRO.
Says He Likes President of Venezuela
Very Mucll-EXpects to Return to
His POst-Nunts IL Long Period of
Rest, HOwever-Refuscst to Discuss
Diplomatic Situation.

; New York, April 1s.-Frank B.
LOOMS, United States minister to
Venezuela, spent the night in quaran
tine 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
CHARTERED 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
critical things about President Castro,
and AYERS that an injustice has been
done him in this respect. TO press
reporter who met at quarantine, Mr.
LOOMS said:
ct did not say any of the unpleasant
things that have been attributed to me
about President Castro during my stay at
San Juan or anywhere else. The fact is,
I like Mr.. Castro very much. 1 was inter-
viewed at San juan but it was more a
pleasant chat than anything else. There
were other passengers aboard and present
who said some unllind things, but I GER
tainly did not cannot understand how
the criticisms We're put in my mouth I'M
less the views of the passengers alluded
to were made mine. l am quoted as saying
that President Castro drew but $4,000 a
year salary yet had made 100000 in two
years. Now, do not even know positively
that the president gets the salary named,
and I know nothing of any money he made.
l must also deny that 1 said he plotted to
secure my recall or removal
Cannot Discuss Diplomatic Incident.
'"I cannot discuss the recent diplomatic
incident with Venezuela. There are sew
eral points in connection with it that will
report OH to the department, and naturally
they are quite confidential. l 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 government wished
the dispute to go. We insisted that the dis
pute be submitted for adjudication without
prejudice, and carried our point. 1 do nos
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 subsided,
and our relations at the present time are
quite satisfactory. I cannot say how long
1t will take to reach a decision in the
asphalt cases; presume the law has its de-
lays in Venezuela as elsewhere.
Castro in Full Control.
'President Castro seems tuhave the coun-
try quite under control. A constitutional
convention, the eleventh they have had
I believe, has just adjourned, and there is
to be an election in the autumn. 1T is
quite certain that Castro will be elected
president and inaugurated next spring. The
constitutional convention has changed the
tenure of the president from four to six
years. Andrade is, l am told, at Curacao
and 1 feel that the report is true, for there
is generally a colony CT VeneZuelans there
thinking of home and anxious to improve
the political condition. l am told Andrade
plans an expedition to Venezuela, but
do mot anticipate any trouble for some
months.
'Venezuelans who have discussed An.
drade with me say that while he is vel
\ informed rather able and quite broad
y minded, he is lacking in strength and toe
kind hearted to make a successful ruler
They say that another leader, young man
will be brought forward to oppose Presi.
dent Castro. However, of all these mat
tiers I'have no personal knowledge and an
merely telling you what Venezuelans say
The Barcelona Incident.
1.-THE Barcelona incident, in which GU,
consular agent was twice arrested by 10.
cal officials in an attempt to extort money
from him, has been practically closed, anc
in manner quite satisfactory to us. Oul
government directed me to demand al
apology and the fullest reparation. JUS
before leaving was given assurance thai
the fullest amends will be made. ! be-
lieve that the assurances given me will be
carried out.
II do not expect to return to Venezuela
for at least five months. -Four years II
the tropics have left me in need of change
and rest; my physician says Carlsbad, ant
I am going to try and get leave for tril
to Europe"