The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-20
SITUATION in VENEZUELA
COUNTRY WHERE RIGHTS OF FOR.
EIGNERs ARE NOT RESPECTED.
Americans Guarding Pitch Lake with
an Armed FOrce-NO Attention
Paid to Minister LOomis.
Correspondence of the Associated Press.

Correspondence OF the Associated Press
PORT OF SPAIN, Island of Trinidad,
Feb. ia correspondent of the Associated
Press has just returned from a ten days
stay in Caracas, Venezuela, where he went
to investigate the Venezuelan situation
The outlook, as one sees it at the Vene-
zuelan capital, is not good There is feel
ing OF apprehension in the air. The Castro
government becomes more unpopular and
hostility to 1T is talked rather freely and
the substantial and solvent people of the
community condemn the governments at
titude toward the New York and Bermudez
Asphalt Company. The New York and
Bermudez Company, the correspondent is
informed. is quietly gathering strong
force of well-armed and well-drilled men
at the pitch lake. These men are in CON-
mand of Major Rafferty,, formerly of the
Seventy-first New York Regiment, brave
and efficient officer. They will resist all
encroachment, whether made by govern
ment or revolutionary troops. The United
States gunboat Scorpion has been ordered
to the pitch lake with orders not to allow
the company TO be dispossessed prior to the
conclusion of the judicial investigation of
the case now being made in Washington.
The Venezuelan government is endeavor-
ing in every possible way to persuade the
New York and Bermudez Company to re-
sort to the tribunals. The refusal of the
company TO adopt that course is based on
the knowledge that in Venezuela the presi-
dent or dictator changes the judges in
night or imprisons them II they do not give
the judgment they are hidden TO give.
The correspondent talked with i've diplo-
mats in Caracas. They all asserted that
the United States government had acted
with great prudence and with a degree of
forbearance that almost ceased To be
virtue. They spoke highly of the skill and
tact with which Minister LOOMS had met
a delicate and difficult situation. The diplo-
matte side of this business is most i'm
portant and interesting. The United States
after receiving all or the legal RECORDS and
facts ia the controversy between the Vene-
zuelan government decided 10 make
thorough investigation and sent for COM
plete set of laws OF Venezuela, some sixteen
volumes. Pending the outcome of this in
vestigation they asked the Venezuelan gov
eminent, as n matter or courtesy between
friendly nations, 10 kindly suspend the
operation of the decree dispossessing the
New York-BermudeZ Company till in
vestigation could be made. This the Vene-
zulean government declined to do. The re-
quest was repeated and again refused. II
was then made third time in an emphatic
manner by Mr.. Francis 3. LOOMS; in fact,
1t was put as a sort OF vigorous demand
the third time. but the result was the same.
Then protest was made and that was
ignored by the Castro government though
IL had ample power and authority 10 meet
any or all of these demands II il saw lit.
The trouble over the asphalt is only one
OF large number Of incidents In which the
Venezuelan government has recently been
guilty of grave offense to the government
OF the United States Three months ago
the consular agent OF the United States at
Barcelona was thrust into prison without
cause. The United States government de-
manded an apology, but has not yet re-
ceived il. A year earlier the same consul
| was arrested and threatened with torture
AZ L.
| local officials. A few months ago a Ger
man merchant at Barcelona was tortured
| by officials there for the purpose of extort-
| ing money from him. The German govern
ment sent a cruiser there at once and got
satisfaction and kept the vessel four
months in Venezuelan waters. The Italians
1 have had men-of-war In Venezuelan waters
most OF the time for. year. Last year the
| American consul at Leguayra was attacked
and his life Threatened The United States
| government has never received satisfactory
reparafion for that