New-York tribune., 1904-08-02
A PROTEST TO VENEZUELA
State Department Objects to Sei~ure
of .AsphGlt Properties.
trnou Tur raInuxs srrrau.I


Washington. Aus. 1.-The state Department.
to-day instructed Minister Bowen. at Caracas
20 protest against the uRwaFFanted seizure os
che property Of the New-York and BeTmudsz
Asphalt Company by the Venezuelan govern
mehJ,
Assistant Secretary I4oomis SAYS he does not
believe that the action Of the Supreme Court
of Venezuela is fnal in this case. and he thinks
that % soon as this government is fully advised
OF All the circumstances which led up to tn.
seizure OF the property such steps can be
taken as will ultimately secure Justice from the
Southern republic,
John u. Lindsay NeW-XOrk attorney. and
Professor John Raasett Moore, Of Columbia Unit
versity. both representing the Nsw-Hork and
Bermudez company, called on Assistant Sec
retary Loomis tO-day, judge PenHeld- the So
MCitoF Of the state Department was pres
ent and a long conferences was held concerning
the arbitrary action of the Venezuelan cOuFt
They discussed The methods OF procedure ne,es-
sary to set aside the TeeeiveFship. and other
important points bearing the controversy
were carefully looked over, with view of pre-
pairing for such action as may be necessary
successfully 20 combat the seizure of the prop
eTty MessTs. Moore and Lindsay confirmed The
press report from Port of Spain, Trinidad. 70
the effect that the British Minister at Caracas
had protested against the seizure OF the asphalt
lake at Ciuanaco. II WAS eXDlaine@ that there
is a proper double International interest M this
matter, for. while the New-York and BeTmudez
company is an American corporation. and most
of las stock is owned here. the bonds OF tae com
rany. 70 the extent OF about $1,OQoO0G, are held
III England. giving the British government the
right to intervene to protect the interests or its
Citizens.
The first Official account OF the action ef the
SEIZURE reached the State Department to-day IN
cable dispatcn from Mr. Bowen. RE said that
suit was brought by the Venezuelan government
against the asphalt company on the grouuG that
il had failed 70 caFry out certain portions OF
IT'S concessions especially those requiring u 20
dig canals. dredge channels Tn the rtvsTs and
export other products than asphalt Because Of
the company's failure In these respects the
Venezuelan government asked the court 10 or
der an embargo corresponding 20 the ordinary
American injunction) and 20 appoint a eusto-
dian or receiver. The court granted this sppli-
cation. laid the embargo ana appointed A. n.
Garner custodian. He sailed Venezuslan
warship for the nearest port TO the asphalt lsSss
before notice of suit was served on the defend
ant company. Mr.. Bowen explains that while
the statutes OF Venezuela authorizs embargo
proceedings such as these in the case Of leases
this would scarcely apply 90 the asphalt prop
critics, which are held under concessions Ths
custodian, MT. Garner, SeiAe't tueSS PIVR7ttes Oh
july - and remains in possession.
Mir Bowen has sent by mail detailed stare
ment of the steps leading up TO the seizure, and
as the State Department. Is anxious TO secure
further information on the complexities or
Venezuelan law bearing on this case 1t viii
probably await the letter before taking further
action.
Robert c. Morris, one Of the United States Com
nissiOners to pass on the American claims against
Venezuela said yesterday that he surprised at
/ the report Of Germanys Ultimatum- Il done
know ne said. what special provision may have
/ been made for the payment OF the German claims
against Venezuela. but supposed there was ample
provision for the payment without the GSed OF an
\ ultimatum- The German claims. as passed on by
7'he Hague tribunal amounted 2G9l So6 OoltVsTs
| or about S4l2,0G0 IL has been expected that TIRE
American claims. amounting 70 about S&4ts9 VIII
have 20 wait until after the claims OF other @oln-
/ tries paid
Mr. Puiido. the Venezuelan Charge dAfaires az
Washington. who is staying in this city, said
yesterday, "NeneZuela has been paving eyeTyt 1ns
which il obliged to pay according to the prot9-
I coils which Mr. Bowen signed last wear. have
heard nothing from nv government in reference u
| the reported demand Of the German government:
So far as know, there has been no trouble ~ all
/ about the payments.