Evening star., 1901-04-23

! decided. Mr.. Loomis denied absolutely the
truth of the reported interview with him
self sent from San Juan, Porto Rico. In
which he was quoted as severely crit
icising President Castro of Venezuela
Mr.. Looms' visit to the State Depart
ment was expected, and although it was
cabinet day, Secretary Hay gave up an
hour of his time to a talk with the minis
ter about Venezuelan affairs Mr. LoomiS
elaborated the statements contained in his
reports as to his relations with the Nene-
zuelan government and the political condi-
tionS of the country, and the general tenor
of his statement was that there has been
no appreciable change in Venezuela since
his last interview with President Castro
when the wishes of the United States gov
ernment respecting the issues between the
two countries We're set out.
Future Undecided.
Regarding the future the State Depart
ment is willing that the minister shall ex-
ercise his discretion-he may return to
Caracas or may be provided for elsewhere
in the diplomatic service, at his own pleas
ure. In view of his statement which
seemed to divest the conditions in Ven
ezuela of any critical aspect no attempt
was made at this time to press him to
decision as to his future. The minister is
not in good health, and Mrs. Loomis is also
far from robust, and 1t was regarded as
perfectly reasonable that he should be
granted long leave of absence from his
post, in order that he might go to Europe
to recuperate. During his absence he will
have ample opportunity to make his plans.
Meanwhile the United States delegation at
Caracas will remain in charge of Mr.. Rus
SELL the secretary of the legation, acting
as charge.
One result Of Secretary Hays talk with
Minister Loomis was to confirm him in his
understanding that the minister has done
rr,t+t, n 81 % -
confidence Of the State Department.. On
the contrary, it is said, the minister has
made it clear that at every point in his ne
gotiations with the Venezuelan government
he has faithfully and accurately followed
the instructions laid down by the State De-
partment, which is consequently response
BILE for everything that has occurred
result of the minister's actions.
Despite the tension over Venezuelan af-
fairs 1t has developed some satisfactory re-
suits. The Venezuelan government mani
tests no hostility against this country, and
the resentful feeling has found no. express
sion outside Of private and unofficial quas-
ters. There is no intimation that any Off
cial attention has been paid to the inter
views attributed to Mr.. Loomis, and 1t is
understood that the Venezuelan authorities
are quite content to let the matter pass
with the denials given by the minister.
From those well acquainted with condi-
tions in Venezuela 1t is learned that there
is almost certainty that Mr.. Loomis will
not return to Caracas again and will al
most certainly be transferred to some post
in Europe AS United States minister to
Venezuela Mr.. LoomiS has been made a tar
get for the abuse of the officially inspired
press in that country for months. He has
shared the honor in this sort of attack with
the American navy, Department of State
and Mr. Mckinley himself. This has been
done in systematic way in order to work
up a sentiment Of hostility to the United
States and particularly to Mr.. Loomis in
order to secure his recall. The officials in
Venezuela seemed to think this was neces-
sary in order to carry out some schemes
for enriching themselves in hasty and irreg-
ular ways at the expense of the American
investors in that country. The United
States government through it's minister.
made stern objections to the official plans
for depriving Americans Of their property
without a proper hearing. The contro-
versy, after these official protests from our
government, was sent to the courts for ad-
judication, but Mr.. Loomis was not for
given for having been the instrument Of
preventing the plan from being put into
immediate operation
Upheld by the Department..
Mr.. Loomis has been upheld by the State
Department in every step he has taken
throughout the controversy, and as diplo-
matte precedence Is all against a minister
being sent again to a country where his
presence is disagreeable both to the officials
of that country and to himself, it is looked
on certain that during the period of Mr.
Loomis' leave of absence a transfer viii
be made which will send some other minis
ter to Caracas and send Mr.. Loomis to
some new post unless 1t shall be deemed
wise to have no minister at Caracas for a
time for the purpose Of indicating that this
governments resents the treatment its rep
recentative has received at the hands of
Venezuela.
1t is the opinion of those familiar with
this countrys trade to South America that
Mr.. Loomis has performed very effective
work while minister to Venezuela by
means of his many and valuable CONNER
cial reports, and also that he has vigor-
ously and in a broad, statesmanlike manner
upheld the prestige and honor of the coun-
try which he represented.
MOncrei6e-Walker Nuptinls.