The Washington times., 1904-08-01
A Stiff Protest Is Filed
Against Action of Gov
ernment.
Mr.. BOWEN WILL ACT
Matter Probably Will Have
an Amicable Settlement.
Terms of Leases.

United States Minister Bowen, al
Caracas, was instructed by the State
Department today TO protest against
the unwarranted seizure Of the prop
erty OF the New York and Bermude7
Asphalt Company by the Venezuelan
government.
The department was advised of Great
Britains protest to Venezuela against
the decision of the Venezuelan supreme
court, which resulted in the conhsca-
tion of the property Of the great asphalt
company. This action was on behalf Of
British capitalists. who own about ST.
100000 Of New York and Bcrmudez AS
phalt Company bonds.
The State Department has had no ad-
vice concerning the demands Germany
is reported 10 have made upon Veae-
zuela. because OF alleged failure to pay
Germany's portion of the claim arising
out Of the late revolution.
Assistant Secretary Loonis has never
heard Of any failure on the part of
Venezuela in meeting the obligations OF
the allied powers. Germany. Great
Britain and Italy. and doubts the truth
of the reports that Germany has not
received its share Of the custom receipts
which were to be set aside by YenezeuIa
to satisfy the claims of the foreign pow
ers whose citizens suffered loss in the
revolution.
Startling Disclosures.
A dispatch from United States Minis
ter Bowen received by the State Depart
ment makes some startling disclosures
concerning the high-handed manner in
which the Venezuels.S ST o eme court has
thrown the property - 'he New York
and Bermudez Asphalt ompany into
the hands of receiver and practically
confscates IN American corpora ton s
interests in VencLuela.
Mr.. Bowen's di- latch says that A H
Garner, who was formerly connected
with the New York and Bermudez Com
pany, was named custodian, or receiver.
OF the property BY the Venezuelan SUI
preme court Before the company was
advised OF the suit 10 throw II into the
hands Of a custodian Mr. Garner had
started for the asphalt lake Of the COM
pany on a Venezuelan Warship
This indicates clearly that the action
OF the court was directed by the gov
eminent and shows that the court pro-
ceedings were only pretense to screen
the illegal action Of the government
II Is alleged by the Government, NJ
Bowen says in his dispatch, that the
company failed TO carry out part OF the
concession. The company IS said 10 nave
agreed 10 canalize certain rivers and to
develop other resources of the country
besides asphalt.
The embargo proceedings instituted
against the company are simlia- 10 H.
junction proceedings in this country. I'm
der the statutes of Venezuela il is posi-
bic 70 bring such action TO enforce the
compliance with the terms Of leases. but
Mr. Bowen says the New York and Ber-
mudeZ Company is operating under a
concession md not under lease
John Bassett Moore, Of Columbia Uni
versity. New York. and John d Lind
sey. a New York attorney. both OF whom
represent the New York and BermudeZ
Company. called on Assistant Secretary
Loomis at the State Department this
morning. and has a long conference with
him concerning the arbitrary action Of
the Venezuelan court. They discussed
the methods Of procedure necessary TO
set aside the receivership which Is so
distasteful
Assistant Secretary LOOmis saws he
does not believe the action Of the su-
preme court OF Venezuela IS final IN this
case. and believes Justice can be had
from the southern republic as soon as
the United States is fullysadvlsed Of the
facts which led up 10 the seizure Of the
property.