The Topeka state journal., 1901-04-17
United States Minister to Vene-
zuela Reaches New York.
Enters Disclaimer to Interview
Reported From Porto Rico.
WE'RE NOT HIS WORDS.
Other People Said Unpleasant
ThingsAbout Castro.
Says Venezuelan Matter is on
the Way to Settlement.

New York, April 17.-Frank r. LOOMS.
United States minister to Venezuela,
spent last night in quarantine with the
rest OF the passengers on the Red D
liner Caracas, on which he came from
Porto Rico. On disembarking today Mr..
Loomis drove at once to the Hotel Vic
to1ia where he will be quartered until
the end of the present week, when ne
goes to Washington to report to the staIe
department and President Mckinley. He
gives positive disclaimer to the author
ship of the San Juan interviews in which
he was made to say some severely criti-
cal things about President Castro and
AYERS tnat an injustice has been done
him in this respect. To the Associated
Press reporter who met him at quaran-
tine today Mr. Loomis said:
Il 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, like Mr.. Castro very much. / was
interviewed at San Juan, but it was a
more pleasant chat than anything else.
There were other passengers aboard and
present who said some unkind things.
but I certainly did not. I cannot under
stand how the criticisms were put in
my mouth unless the views of the pas
SengerS alluded to were made mine.
am quoted as saying that President Cas-
tro drew but S12 600 a year salary, yet
had made 81. 900 in two years. Now
l do not even know positively that the
president gets the salary named and
know nothing of any money he has
made.
Il must also deny that I said he plot
ted to secure my recall or removal.
I cannot discuss the recent diplomatic
incident with Venezuela. There are srv-
eral points in connection with it that I
will report on to the department and
naturally they are quite confidential.
may say, however, that the preliminary
steps toward a legal settlement of the
asphalt cases have been taken in the
Venezuelan courts. That is precisely
where our government wished the dis
pute to go. We insisted that the dispute
be submitted for adjudication without
prejudice and carried our point
IT do not say that our government does
tice is not done. but we want the matter
passed upon by the courts. There was
dent but it has subsided. and our rela-
tions at the present time are quite salts
take to reach a decision in the asphalt
cases I presume the law has its delays
in Venezuela as elsewhere
President Castro seems to have the
country quite under control. A constitu-
tiOnal convention, the eleventh they have
had. believe, has adjourned. and there
is to be an election in the autumn. It is
president and inaugurated next spring.
The constitutional convention has changed
six years. Andrade is. I am told. at
Curacao, and feel that the report is
Venezuelans there thinking of home and
anxious to improve the political condition.
| am told Andrade. plans an expedition to
Venezuela. but / do not anticipate any
trouble for some months
'.Venezuelans who have discussed An
drade with say that while he is well
informed. rather able and quite broad
minded, he is lacking in strength and too
kind hearted to make a successful ruler.
They say that another leader. a younger
man will be brought forward to oppose
Castro. However, Of all these matters
have no personal knowledge, and 1 am
merely telling you what Venezuelans
say
.sThe Barcelona incident in which cur
con suIar agent was twice arrested by To-
cal officers in an attempt to extort
money from him has been practically
settled and in a manner quite satisfac-
tory TO us. Our government directed me
to demand an apology and full repair
alton. Just before leaving I was given
assurance that the fullest amends win
be made. / believe that the assurances
given me will be carried out.
Il do not expect to return to Vene-
zuela for at least five months. Four
years work in the tropics has left me in
need OF change and rest: my physician
says Carlsbad and I am going to try
and get leave for a trip to Europe"