New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-23
Of president Castro to the contrary. IT has fully

~ president Castro to the contrary. n has fully
compiled with the terms of the concession. and has
spent large of money IN exploration
construction of a railroad. wharves and plant
the Improvement of rivers and the develop
ment OF it's business Nevertheless. tho state
ment says that after many futile attempts
to coufscate the cOmpany's property, comTnenc-
ing in 1887. and to bestow it upon others. a suit
was instituted by the Venezuelan government on
July 60 1904. cancel the Hamilton concession On
the ground of alleged nOn-fulhlment OF certain %
it's optional clauses. and 10 appoint receiver for
all of the cOmpany's property" 1t declares that
the company's defnitive mining and fee sirnpl.
titles ignored and that notice whatever
of the beginning of the suit given to the
company opportunity to oppose the application
for n receiver, but that by ex-parte order
former employee Of the company. A Howard Car
WAS named receiver.
1t is further stated that the troubles OF the CON-
pany began in 1887. when certain Venezuelans con-
spired 10 encrOach on the cOmpany's property, and
that on January 4. $685. President Castro on a De-
titiOn OF these Venezuelans issued decree decar-
ing the Hamilton concession null and void on tn
ground that under 1t there has been no expectation
OF natural products other than asphalt. This de-
cree. however. was held by the high federal court
to be without authority and void.
The part played by the Warner-Qufnlau Com
pany OF Syracuse in asphalt transactions in Venez
uela is gone into with much detail. the charge bs
ing made that IN May 1870. that company bought
the "Felicidad'' claim for $4,000 although the ven
doris declared in the deed OF sale that they made
II lat the risk OF the purchasers and without any
responsibility
Other Americans. according to the statement Be.
came interested in La Venezuela South Side and
other locations superimposed. was la Felicidad
Bermudez Lake. But. IL is stated. in response
to urgent representations by the cOmpany's rspra
sentative. President Castro on July o. 1900 ISSUED
three DEGREES. the first OF which declared that ths
company might exercise each and every OF the
rights granted TO il under the Hamilton conces-
sion in the manner and under the terms set out
in the said contract. and at any time whatever
within the term provided in Article VIII. which
fixed the duration of the concession at twenty
five years. and further that the company had thu
right of preference in every case OF denUnciatou
Of asphalt mines within the limits Of the con-
cessIoa- The second decree declared that the COM
pany has fulfilled up to date the engagements and
obligations OF the contract OF which 1t Is ces-
stoaary. entered into with the executive power on
September 10. 1883, 10 which additions were rads
on October 49, following. approved by the National
Congress by law OF June 5. 1894. and confirmed By
the High Federal Court by SENTENCES OF August z
1928 and that therefore tine said contract is IN fun
legal force and effect The third decree rne-sIT
appointed inspector TO draw up plans for The
Identification OF the various discredited claims
These DEGREES. however. do appear to have
been held binding by President Castro. for Il IS
stated that December 10. 1900. President Castro
issued decree confirming the Warner uinIan
the "Felicidad" claim, and to other persons thar
part covered by the claim called La Venezuela
although commission which had investigated the
matter had reported in favor OF the New-York and
Barmudez Company. Then followed a long period
OF costly litigation Eastern Venezuela In the
hands OF revOluttOntStS, and the company
was compehed 70 pay dOQDe duties on It's ship
ments-onCe to the revOlutiOntsts and again TO the
Venezuelan government. The large steamships
under charter interfered with. and for long
period were wholly prevented from reaching Qua
reached the point or starvation. because the
Venezuelan government would not permit ths com
pany 10 enter. under threat 10 seize its ships IL
10 attempted 20 do So
The company further states that as a result
OF President Castro's decree OF December 10 1900
referred 10, Mr. Garner recalled and another
Although the company was charged BY the Nene-
Zuelan government with having aided the Matos
revolution IL declared in most positive terms that
n preserved strict neutrality The statement al
OF Interior relations threatened TO bring suit
against the company a result % this charge
It's alleged failure to perform its obligations
under the Hamilton concession but that the gov
eminent would adjust the matter II IL would Fay
$50 90 60 bOvarS. else pay 100000 oovars AMI
surrender its property" Declaring mat the charges
were untrue. the company telegraphed It's agent
that II could consider Fenezuela's proposi-
Attention Is called to the fact that the High
Federal Court and the Court OF Sassaf,9n: con-
consolidated into one court or seven Ineta2erS
non ~ whom srved as a member OF the High FED
eraI Court which decided the - "a tslctdAn nt-
CATION in favor of the BerInudez company DnC
Tbst one OF the Judges the counsel FOR tha
Wsrner-OuinIan company. while another was close
" allied with Mr. Garner l.. -.
r-otast ~ Minister Bowen, and the steps taken oS
The state Department IN the matter ana 1eSIs[sS
mat the action % Venezuela was aro4lIefS. Nigh
handed and indetensioie-