The times., 1901-03-31
MINISTER LOOMS RECALL.
The state Department Satisfied With
His Course Mt Caracas

Ills ~ tafHtssr-
Frank p Loomis. United States Minis
ter at Caracas. who has been bitterly at
tackled in the Venezuelan press on ac-
count of his activity in looking out for
American interests in the pitch lake con-
troversy and other matters in which clti-
zens Of the United States are concerned.
has been ordered home by telegraph. II
is expected that he viii leave on the first
steamer.
1t is said upon reliable authority today
that this Government is very much dis
satisfied with the attitude OF the Venczue-
Ian Federal authorities generally. and
President Castro particularly. Their con-
duct iH the recent troubles in the asphalt
region and in cases of alleged petty perse-
cution Of Americans residing in Ven
ezuel9 Is regarded as unfriendly They
have, it is explained, shown no disposition
to meet the United States half way in the
settlement of pending disputes. and have
assumed an attitude of defiance.
One of the recent cases that has caused
this Government to chafe IL that Of Igna-
clio H. Baiz. a Danish subject who rep-
resents the United States as Consular
Agent at Barcelona. Venezuela. He was
arrested according to the reports to the
State Department, for refusing to make a
forced loan to the Venezuelan authorities
and put in Jail until the money was paid.
Instructions to make a rather stiff de-
mand for an explanation were sent TO Mr.
LOomis, but up to this time he has ap-
parently received no response from the
Government at Caracas, as he has not
Informed the State Department on the
subject since the instructions were sent.
Press reports have said that Mr.. Baiz
firmation of these have come officially.
From what has been said in official
quarters. it is apparent that the Govern
ment has concluded that the Castro Ad-
ministration must be dealt with severely
to secure respect for American interests.
1t is not probable, however, that any de
cision as to a course OF action will be
reached until after Minister Loomis gets
here.
The statement was made positively by
officials that the recall of Mr.. LOOnis
was not due to any dissatisfaction with
his course in caring for the interests of
the United States. There was some talk
about the matter, and the President and
Secretary Hay expressed thorough ap-
proval of what had been done by Mr.
LOOMS. At the State Department it was
said that Mr.. Loomis had not exceeded
his Instructions in any action he had
taken. While it is believed that there
has been no formal complaint against the
Minister by the Venezuelan Government.
it is known that he is not popular with
the Castro administration. and the
chapees are that he will not be sent back
to Cara cas- Mr.. Russell, the First Sec
retaIy Of the American Legation there,
Will be Charge d Affaires in the absence
of Mr.. LOOMS
Senor Pulido showed surprise and in
terest when told that Mr LOOmis had
been recalled. Re indicated that he would
not return to Venezuela Just now, al
though it is understood that h had been
granted leave Of absence. and was pre-
pairing to stare for Caracas. He has re-
ceivcd advices that General Castro, who
became de factO President of Venezuela
through his capture of Caracas and the
fight of President Audrade, has been de
clared provisional President, pending an
election.
The return TO La Guayra at this time
of the United States gunbOat Scorpion
has significant bearing on the Vene-
zuelan situation She arrived at la
Guayra Yesterday from Port OF Spain
Trinidad. II is understood that she was
ordered back at the request of the State
Department.