The age-herald., 1901-04-18
United States Minister Likes the Rich President of
 Venezuela
AND THE INCIDENT CLOSED
He Admits Having Talked To a Re porter, But Denies Most Positively the $2,ooo,oo Saving Story.
 Corrects Other Errors.

New York, April 17-Frank B. Loonis, United States minister to Venezuela, after night in quarantine with the other passengers on the Red Line steamship Caracas, on which he came from Porto Rico. disembarked today. He proceeded to the Hotel Victoria, where he will be quartered until the end of the present week, when he goes to Washington to report to the State Department and Pres ident Mckinley To an Associated Press representative MT. Loomis said:
 T did not say any of the unpleasant things that have been attributed to me about President Castro. The fact is, like Castro very much. was interviewed at San Juan, but 1t was more a pleasant chat than anything else. There were oth- CTS present who said some unkind things, but I certainly did not. I am quoted as saypg that President Castro drew H2,- 900 N year salary. yet had made H.0000o0 in two years. I do not even know that the President gets the salary named, and know nothing of any money he has made.
 ''I must also deny that I said he plotted to secure my recall or removal. I cannot discuss the feespt diplomatic incident
 
 in connection with it 6n which will re- port to the department, and naturally | they are confidential. may say, how
 ever. that the preliminary steps tv> | a legal settlement of the asphalt caS
 have been taken in the Venezuelan courts. | We insisted that the dispute be submit | ted for adjudication without prejudice,
 and carried our point. do not say that 1 our government does not reserve the 1 right to interfere if justice is not done, but we want the matter passed upon by the courts. There was feeling at the height of the incident. but it has sub sided, and our relations at the present time are quite satisfactory. I cannot say how long 1t will take to reach decision in the asphalt cases. I presume the law has it's delays in Venezuela as elsewhere.
 Her country Under Control.
 President Castro seems to have the country under control. constitutional convention. the eleventh they have had, I believe, has just adjourned and there Is to be an election in the autumn It Is quite certain Castro will be elected Pres ident and inaugurated next spring. The constitutional convention has changed the tenure of the President from four to six years. Amdrade l am told. Is at Cu- racoa and l feel that the report is true, for there is generally colony of Ven- ezuelans there thinking of home and anx- ious to improve the political condition. am told that Andrade plans an expedition to Venezuela but do not anticipate any trouble for some months.
 'Venezuelans who have discussed the matter agree with me in saying that ha tv ra1I inf ad and quite broad-minded. he is lacking in strength and too kind-hearted to make a successful ruler. They say that an- other leader, 9 younger man, will be brought forth to oppose President Castro. However, of all these matters l have no personal knowledge.
 "The Barcelona incident, in which our consular agent was twice arrested by local officials in attempt to extort money from him, has been practically closed, and in a manner satisfactory to us. Our government directed me to de- mand an apology and the fullest repara- tion Just before leaving I was given as- surance that the fullest amends would be made I believe that the assurances given me will be carried out.
 WiII Not Return Vet While.
 ''I do not expect to return to Venezuela for at least five months. Four years in the tropics have left me in need of change and rest; my physicians say Carlsbad and am going to try and get leave for trip to Europe"
 Hon Francis B. Loomis. United States minister to Venezuela this afternoon sent to the New York city News Association this statement:
 "I wish to correct an error that appears in the interview with me in today's Mall and Express. I am quoted as saying: "A reporter from the Associated Press. who I am informed is also the editor of the San Juan News, came aboard, etc. Now what did say to the Mall and Hx- press reporter was that man who rep resented himself to be an Associated Press reporter come on board the gun boat Scorpion at San Juan and whom I afterward learned was not an Associated Press reporter. thought I would tell you this so the error would not be cop tad