New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-12
ACCUSES ASPHALT TRUST.
SAYS 1T AIDED MATOS.
Castro Declares 1t Bought and
armed Steamer Ban RICH.

Newspapers and advices which arrived here
from Caracas yesterday show that there Is
much excitement at the seat Of the Venezuelan
government over alleged aid given by the As
phalt Trust TO the Matos revolution. which was
put down about six months ago. President Cas-
tro has declared that he has proof that agents
OF the Bermudcz company. part of the
Asphalt Trust aided Matos in his revolution
while the claim of the company being con-
tested IN the courts Of Venezuela. He has de-
clared that agents Of the company offered about
half a million dollars to him to have the courts
declare in favor of the concession by which the
company gained rights in the asphalt beds Of
Bermudez Lake. and that when he rejected the
offer the company through its agents. used the
money in melting the revolution in an effort TO
overthrow his government.
An international scandal is expected TO arise
out OF the investigation of the Matos revolution.
which has bee. I'm prdgress lately at Caracas.
President Castro las caused suits TO Re begun
for the abrogation of the concessions granted
&c tar Beruudez Company. Il these suits
should prevail. the recent decision Of the SUI
irene Gourt of Venezuela in favor OF the As
phalt Trust would go for nauglt.
The Bermudez Company gained the conces-
sions for the Bermudez Lake before it became
part Of The trust Later there was change Of
government and the new administration. about
1895 made a new grant for the Bermudez Lake
10 persons who sold il TO Warner & Quinlan. of
Syracuse. The fight between Warner & QuinIan
and the Asphalt Trust for possession Of Ber-
mudez Lake went on until the Supreme Court.
early in February Of this year. gave the de-
cision in favor of the Bermudez Company.
While the legal fight was going on the Ber-
mudez Company appealed 10 the State Depart
ment at Washington, and there was some kind
Of a representation made to President Castro.
who declared that he would not take any hand
in the controversy. but would allow the courts
to settle it without influence by the government.
Since the collapse Of the Matos revolution there
has been an investigation to ascertain who
were behind the insurgents This investigation.
Il is declared in Caracas. has shown that agents
Of the Bermudez Company gave TO Matos large
sums Of money which were used to buy arms,
and that the company's agents bought the
steamship Ban Righ and had it fitted out as n
warship for the revOlutiOnsts. The steamer
was fitted in England and Holland, it is de-
cIared and was delivered TO the insurgents at
Martinique.
'El Montor.".O OF Caracas. says:
Investigations at Aberdeen. Glasgow and
London show that the fibustering steamer Ben
Righ" was inspected by Mr.. Greene. and that
he gave to General MatOs $4,000 with which to
purchase the vessel.
THE payment" continues Eel Monitor" was
Il
the National seaboard Bank. in New York. The
draft was for 5000 more than the cost OF the
steamer. in other words 100000.
One article the subject in EEL Monitor
says
The decision OF the high court honors Venez-
uela and her judges. and greatly honOrs General
Castro who is always jealous of her good name
This company is truly responsible for all the
blood that has been spilled in the revolution.
all the suffering the country has endured and
also for all the International conflicts which
have grown out of the conditions These traders
made of the same money they made out of
the concessions in bringing about that immense
national disaster. All the world will now an
plaud the impartial decision of the court
Immediately on the departure of the Ben Righ
for Martinique with Matos and his expedition
the president of the company returned to New
York from Paris. He and Matos met in Paris
at third-rate hotel, and the steamship Ben
Righ which had become subject for gossip In
London newspapers. left EnEla nd precpitately
for Holland TO complete her cargo there.
No officers Of the Asphalt Trust could he found
in this city last night 10 comment on the news
from Venezuela. General Greene. who formerly
was president of the trust. said to be in
TNrv IN