Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-04-18
MINISTER LOOMS
Denies Absolutely the Alleged
San Juan Interview.
Did Not Criticize Pres. Castro, Whom
He Likes Very Much.
Hopes Thai Differences Will Be Amicab,y Set.
iIcd..Is Going to Carlsbad.

spent TUESDAY night In quarantine with
TN" rest OF the passengers OF the Red
- liner Caracas, Oh which he care
from Porto Rico and discmbarked
Wednesday morning. He drove at oace
To the Hotel Victoria. where he will ~
CHARTERED until the end of the .sent
week. when lie will go to Washington
To report to the state department and
President Mckinney. He gives IA posi-
time disclaimer to the authorship Of til"
San Juan interview in which he vas
made to say some severely critical
things about President Castro ard
AYERS that an injustice has been done
him in this respect.
To The. Associated Pres reporter
who joined him at quarantine. Wedncs-
day morning. Mr.. Loomis aid:
II did not say any of the unpleasant
things about President Castro during
my stay ut San Juan or indeed any
where else. have RETAINED from doing
so. and the fact is I like Mr.. Castro
very much. | was interviewed at San
Juan but it was pleasant chat more
than anything else. There We're othnr
passengers aboard and present wiio
said some unkind things. but I GER
tainly did not cannot understand
how the criticisms were put in my
mouth unless the views of the pa sscn-
gers referred to were made mine.
Il am quoted as saying that Presi-
dent Castro drew but $4,000 a year
salary, and yet made s2.000.o00 in two
years. Now / do not even know posi-
lively that the president gets the sal
airy named and I must also deny tina.
said he plotted to secure my recall
or removal.
"As / say. l like Mr.. Castro very
much / cannot discuss the recent d:
plomatic incident with Venezuel.,.
There are several points in connection
with IL that l will report to the Presi
dent. and naturally are quite confidcn-
tial. | may say. however, that the pre-
liminary steps toward legal settle
ment of the asphalt cases have been
taken in Venezuelan courts. This IS
precisely where our government wish
ed the dispute to go. We insisted that
the dispute be submitted for adjuCi-
cation without prejudice and carried
our point. | do not say that our gov
eminent does not reserve the right 7"
intervene if justice is not done. nut
we want the matter passed upon by
the courts.
There was some feeling at the
height of the incident. but it has SUD-
sided and our relations at the present
time are quite satisfactory. l cannot
say how long it will take to reach
decision in the asphalt cases. l pre-
sumo the law has its delays in Ven
eZuela as elsewhere.
Pres. Castro seems to nave the
country quite under control. consti-
tutional convention. the 18th they have
had, | believe. has just adjourned, ana
there is to be an election in the au-
tumn. 1t is quite certain that castro
will be elected president and inaugu-
rated next spring.
The constitutional convention mas
changed the tenure of the president
from four to six years. Andrade IS. l
am told. ut Curacao and feel that the
report is true for there is generally a
colony of Venezuelans there thinking
of home and anxious to improve the
political condition.
THE Barcelona incident in which our
consular agent was twice arrested by
local officials in an attempt to eXtort
money from him has been practically
closed. I was directed to demand an
apology and the fullest rcparati"n. our
reprcsentationG to the Venezuelan gov
eminent were strong and positive. and
lust before leaving | "3a given assur-
anccs that the fullest amends would
he made. l am convinced personally
that the assurances given me will be
carried out.
Il don't expect to return to Ncnczu-
Ella for at least five months -Four
years in the tropics have left me III
need Of change and rest. My physi-
clan SAYS Carlsbad and l am going to
try and get leave for a trip to Europe
| am not decrying Venezuela. IL is "A
splendid country and truly pity mat
it's rulers are not always great anu
good
Minister Loomis is accompanied by
his wife.
Mr. Loomis. this afternoon, sent TO
the New York City News Association.
this statement:
II wish to correct an error that APP
pears in the interview with me in to-
DAVIS Mail and Express. / am quoted
as saving: a reporter from The AS
ISOLATED Press, who. / am informed. is
also the editor Of the San Juan News.
came aboard. etc Now what / did
say to the Mail and Express reporter
was that a man who represented him.
self to be an Associated Press reporter
came on board the gunbOat Scorpion
at San Juan, and whom l afterwards
learned was not an Associated Press
reporter. I thought / would tell you
this so that the error would not be
copied and repeated"
Port of Spain. Tdinidad. April Il. via
Haytien Cable the United
States. Great Britain and Spain have re-
fused to recognize .hc Venezuelan courts
as iii tribunals to adiudicate claims in
yolying the rights of foreigners
Washington. April 17.-Inuuiry at the
state department brought forth a positive
denial of any joint action on the part OF
tine United States. Great Britain. Ger
many and Spain relative to the VeneZue-
Ian courts.
Some time ago. in connection with the
asphalt troubles. the state department.
found it necessary to instruct Minister
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