New-York tribune., 1901-01-25


ities. or they desert, thus leaving the plant at
the asphalt lake without assistance.
The American colony in Venezuela continues
70 protest against the indifference with which
American lives and interests are regarded.
THE VENEZUELAN ASPHALT DISPUTE
THIS GOVERNMENT WILL MAINTAIN STRICT
NEUTRALITY-codPAN WILL SET
TIE CLAIMS IN COURTS.
TsY TELEGRAPH 10 THE TRIBuSE-l
washington, Jan 24-The Administration has
become satisfied after hearing both sides Of the
asphalt dispute between rival American conces-
sionaires, that there is nothing to warrant any
interference by the United States in the matter,
and that the Venezuelan authorities be de-
pended on 10 settle the controversy on it's merits
complicated and obscure they seem TO be-
Provisional orders to American gunboats. issued
before there was a complete understanding Of
the questions involved, have been therefore
countermanded, and the United States Minister
at Caracas will hereafter conine his efforts to
fastening the adjudication Of rights between the
ccntending claimants, with favor to neither
This wise policy is attributable in great de-
gree TO the explanations made to the State De-
partment by ex-senator Frank Hiscock, Repre-
sentative NJ. z. Driscou and Patrick Sullivan,
representing the Warner-Quinlan syndicate. Of
Syracuse, whose claims in Venezuela were being
vigorously fought by the New-York and Ber-
mudez Asphalt Company. OF New-York City.
headed by General Francis V. Greene 1t was
upon the representations of the latter corpora
ton 10 the effect that the Venezuelan Govern
ms mt was on the point Of dispossessing its agents
from its property that this Government came
near becoming involved in strained relations
through a Misrepresentation in Venezuela over
such a display of force as would appear from
the presence Of several gunboats.
In the brief submitted by Mr.. Hiscock TO
Solicitor Peneld, of the State Department. virtu-
ally all that the Warrer-QuinIan syndicate
asked for was that the United States Govern
ment should avoid taking sides between the
companies and let them Settle their own diff
culties according TO Venezuelan law. Respecting
the contention OF the New-York and Bermudez
Company TO the effect that the Venezuelan Gov
ernnnent was threatening by armed force to
put Warner and Quinlan in, possession of Lake
Felicidad. and that II was threatening various
other hostile acts toward the first named COM
pany. the representatives OF Warner and Quin-
Ian submitted this statement to the Department:
AS matter OF fact, the concession which War
ner and QuinIan had OF Lake Felicidad has never
been worked in any way shape manner and
there never has been the slightest attempt on
the part of the Venezuelan Government. or inti-
o n
Ian in possession by force. in any other method
than by the usual and ordinary methods Of legal
proceedings under the law Of Venezuela, and
all representations 20 the contrary that have
been made TO the United States Government by
the New-York and Bermudez Company and its
agents are for the purpose of securing action on
the part of the United States which would intin-
idate the Venezuelan Government
Warner and Qutnlan propose In their own
Ta soS snd nd wmOut vOsIf 70 S ToTk Iner so1ee
with by the New-York and Bermudez Company
they will appeal to the courts Of Venezuela or
IL the New-York and Bermudez Company be-
Iieve that the acts of Warner and Quinlan are an
invasion of its rights il may appeal 20 the
courts. In either event the difficulties will be
solved before the proper legal tribunal Of Venez-
uela which is all that is desired by Warner and
Quinlan. and which the New-York and Bermudez
Company is seeking to avoid
The formal brief from which this extract was
made shows that the Felicidad mine, 10 which
the warner-Ouinlan defnitfve title was sus-
tanned by the Venezuelan Government in De-
cember last after surveys in which both parties
participated. a mile away from the
nearest boundary of the New-York and Ber-
mudez concession. and is supplied from a diff
ferent source. In this brief occurs the following
significant paragraph:
1t is important to notice. in connection with
this purchase. that H. ". Bean. the attorney who
now represents the New-York and Bermudez
Company. was at the time of the purchase by
Quinlan employed by him for the purpose of ex-
amining the title TO Felicidad. and reported that
the title was valid, and concurred in the opinion
of DR.. Zulaga on the Hamilton contract (here-
after referred tor, and as evidence OF Beans
employment we attach hereto a copy OF a letter
delivered by Mr.. Bean to Mr. Quinlan relating
10 the translation of the papers forming the
chain of title 10 FeliCidad
Secretary Hays decision. announced to-day at
the State Department, is follows:
A controversy involving a question OF title and
boundaries of real estate is proper one for the
determination of the local courts in the first in
stance. and not until denial OF Justice is al
legged and shown by either party does the right
OF the Department from the beginning, and the
action taken has only been TO avert any arbi-
trary decision of the rights Of the parties 10 the
controversy
Under this decision Minister Loornis will keep
this Government informed of the progress of the
dispute in Venezuela, without favor to either
syndicate. Mr.. Hiscock said to-day that the
company he represented will send men immedi-
ately 10 open the Felicidad mine and begin the
Shipment or asphalt The Bermudez company
would then probably institute a suit in the
Venezuelan courts and judicial decision OF the
rights or both parties would be awaited. II any
resort TO force was made by the Berrnudez COM
pany they would have to assume the fun re-
sponsihity fer such an act
THE VAST cRESPo ESTATE SOLD
Caracas. Jan PA Hamburg syndicate has
purchased for 1900. 600 marks the estate Of the
late President Crespo in the orinoco district. 1t