New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-31
| THE ASPHALT SEIZURE.
State Department Ascaiting Report
from Minister BOzCen.
Tr.o,, THE. TRIBUNE EUREAU.I

Washington, July 30.-The State Department
is much interested IN the press reports from
Venezuela which describe drastic action on the
part of President Castro with regard to the
property of the New-York ana Bernudez AS
phalt Companys property. No prediction can
be made IT this time. however. regarding the
ultimate action of the department. Minister
Bowen has been instructed by cable TO fnvesti-
gate the causes leading to the action of the
Venezuelan government and. pending the re-
ceipt of his report on the facts. the department
will take no action. Mr.. Bowen has also been
empowered to file a protest if IN his Judgment
the facts warrant such action
The instructions sent to Mr. Bowen were the
result Of protest filed with the State Depart
ment by the companys attorneys some days
ago, and it is assumed that he is now engaged
in probing the affair. but the necessity of verify
ing every assertion and the inaccessibility of
the asphalt company's property will necessarily
make his progress slow.
1t has been intimated 10 the State Depart
ment that the action of President Castro may
bear close relation to the granting of a char
ter to native giving him the right to exploit
four asphalt mines. but providing for a royalty
TO the government of 25 per cent. The grant
ing of this charter was reported to the de-
partment by Consul Plumacher at Maracaibo
Mr.. Plumacher says he cannot sec how the
native referred to can afford to pay the gov
eminent 20 per cent and compete with numer-
Gus mines from the owners of which no such
royalty has been exacted and IL has been sug-
gested that 1t with view 10 making it
profitable for him that Castro is attempting to
curtali the competition Mr.. Bowen has been
advised of this suggestion. and will doubtless
give TO II all due consideration
IL VIII be remembered that a special dispatch
10 Inc Tribune OF June II from Caracas out
Hheu the probable course of Castro and an
houhced That he would base his action on the
atleSatlon that members of the New-York and
beIhudez company had taken part in the
Malos instruction and would demand an In
der;nity for damages resulting therefrom of
oo'onop bolivars $50 0OO0 O0). The Tribune's
correspondent also reported that Castro charged
General Francis V. Greene. of the asphalt COM
paty, WIN having met and conspired with Gen
tral Matos in Paris and with having effected
the purchase OF the flibustering steamer Liber-
tador' GeneTal Greene emphatically denied this
allegation in The Tribune of the same date.
Attorneys for the asphalt company point to
me fact that scarcely year ago the Venezuela
Supreme Court rendered a unanimous verdict
IN favor OF the company as against it's rivals
ana the venezuelan government. They further
alieSe that the recent decision granting q re-
ceivefship or the company rendered by the
same court based on the same evidence, and is
without warrant of law and it is pretty plainly
1ntimated that Castro must have erectuay
seen She members of the court In order to
induce them so signelly To reverse their former
decision