The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-08-17
CASTRO'S TROOPS
IMPLICIT TORTURE
Soldiers Hung Englishman
Up by the Thumbs.
PRISON FOR AN AMERICAN
New York and Bermudez Company De-
elares the Allegations Against
It Are Untrue

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad. Aug. IT.
The bomb which has been so long
smoldering has at last burst.
The Venezuelan government, urged on
by American and German adventures,
has, without a word OF warning, seized
the famous asphalt lake, the property Of
the New York and Bermudez Company.
situated at Guanoco, Venezuela
The taking OF possession was effected
on July g. Two Venezuelan warships.
the Miranda and the Bolivar. having on
board hundred soldiers. approached as
near as possible 10 the lake and disem-
barked the troops. They were led by A
H Carney, a former manager Of the
New York and Bermudez Company, but
now it's bitter enemy. Mr.. Carney. as
receiver, took forcible possession Of the
railroad lake. buildings. refinery-in a
word. of everything which could be
seized.
The New York and Bermudez Com
pany. which had received timely warn
ing OF the intended proceeding OF the
government, had ordered its little steam
er. the viking. to cross over to Trinidad,
taking with her all the company's books.
so that the strict search made for her
among the channels by the Venezuelan
warships proved TO be In vain.
Under Martial Law.
Some hours after their disem barkation
Mr.. Carney. accompanied by a German
and the special counsel for the Venez-
uelRn government. informed the Amer
lean and English employees that there
was no need Of their services, and at
the same time obliged. at the point OF
the bayOnet, the English negroes en-
ployed in the work Of excavation to con-
tinue their labors.
Meanwhile. the soldiers visited and
emptied the company's stores. Mr.
Bartlett, young and energetic Ameri-
can. acting manager Of the company,
the only result was that he was arrest
ed and kept prisoner for six days. An
English carpenter named Bryan was
suspended by his thumbs. Such was the
spectacle 1 had the pain 10 witness.
Commenting on this abuse Of power,
this denial of justice manifested toward
foreign company which has spent mill
lions OF dollars. which has been exploit
ing the asphalt property, for twenty
years. and which is now despoiled.
United States consul, whose name am
not at liberty to mention. said to me.
What Is the State Department waiting
for In order to act? When this incident
IS compared with that OF Perdicaris II
cannot be denied that we have droll
idea OF the protection that should be
accorded our citizens"
Breach of Contract.
The seizure OF the asphalt company's
properties was based on an action charg-
ing non-execution of contract Of lease.
DR.. +. Arroyo Parejo, attorney general
OF Venezuela. brought the action and set
forth that Horace r. Hamilton made
contract with the Venezuelan govern
ment TO exploit the natural products in
thS wild lands Of the former state OF
Bermudez. 70 take therefrom woods.
resins. plants. aromatic seeds. and 70 ex-
plot the asphalt beds.
This alleged lease was dated September
Is. 1855. Two clauses were added to the
alleged lease before the close OF 1884
one determining the duties TO be paid for
woods exported and the other for the
canalization Of rivers. Mr.. Hamilton
assigned his concession 10 the New York
and Bermudez Company on December Q,
1874 It was declared that the company
never fulfilled any other specifications of
the contract than the exploitation OF the
asphalt lake.
asked for the dissolution Of the contract
and FOR Judgment requiring the New
York and Bermudez Company TO pay
damages 70 the Venezuelan government
The attorney general also asked for the
appointment Of a receiver for the com
pany's property.
Rights Discretionary.
r K. Wright, the company's general
manager In Caracas, replied 70 this bill
on August 5. He denied the allegations
contained in the attorney generals bill.
and declared that the Hamilton con
tract was not lease II WAS stated
that the rights granted 10 Hamilton
were, except that OF the exploration.
discretionary and could be renowned BY
him and those claiming under him
The answer also sets forth this: ION
the other hand, the company most sol
EMMY states that the asphalt lake and
lands and other appurtenances which II
holds In GuanOco. In the state Of Ber-
mudez. and which have been sequestrat-
ed. do not belong TO IL by virtue OF tho
so-called Hamilton contract which Is
the subject matter Of this suit but By
virtue OF -he titles which were legally
granted 70 II BY the national executive
power OF Venezuela on the 7th and 18th
OF December 1888. both protocolized IN
the subaltern registration Office Of the
district Benitez, on the 18th day Of De-
cemoer, 1880. and although II Is true
that the remote occasion OF those titles
was the contract now under discussion
II Is not less true that they also have
their immediate 1uridical causes: which
are peculiar and proper 20 them; these
being titles which have never been dis
GUESSED and are not susceptible OF dis
eussion In the present suit %
Plea of Limitations.
Regarding the time for the perform
ance OF the obligations under the al
legged lease the company pleaded the lin
itation under the civil code an a fur
Their instance that. even II the allega
lions were true they would fall. a
twenty-one years had elapsed since tn,
signing Of the contract.
Mr.. Wright prayed that the action b.
dismissed and declared that the com
pany expressly reserves its rights OF 40
ton for the enormous loss and daInag
which IL has suffered and continues t
suffer through the Illegal scqueStratioI
that has been decreed IN the present sui
OF It's asphalt lake and all It's dependsn
ciS6."
The suit will not come 10 a hearinl
until the tribunals resume their session
after the annual vacation. which last
from August Is 10 September ID.