New-York tribune., 1905-07-22
IFRoM THE TRIBUNE zrRrAr1

JFHoM TRIBUNE BUREAU.1
" washington. July 1--It is thought here that +hs
eHort TO revive charges against RudoIph Dodge
SolSuIar agent at Caracas. can be traced to Her
oert w. Bowen. former Minister to Veuezuela or
"Hoin u L. Church is feIlow-towusman The
charges made by Mr.. Church are almost identical
win those OF Mr. Bowen to secre. .ary Taft on May
L. In the Bowen-Loomis Investigation Mr. Dolge
met the charges with categorical commensurate
nlent IuIly substantated by documents which in
the opinion OF Secretary Taft conclusively proved
the consular agent gui.tless
Mr. Bowen charged that Mr. DOLCE ''has nassad
SIX months OF the last year in Washington Cincin-
'au and other cities. working for syndicate which
IS said to be composed largely of Mr.. Loomls's
lrleAds' and who while lately in Caracas. so
commonly reported 10 be securing valuable privi-
leges near the Orinoco River as reward for the
support given TO President Castro by Mr. LOOMS
and himself. that had TO regard h m as a SUSPICIOUS
chaPacter. and to refuse to receive Inn at the le-
gationi hence his attack on me in the news
papers,
Consular Agent Dolge's statement says in part:
Mr.. Bowen states that was neglecting my official
Quty as consular agent by remaining from my post
William ". Russell can tesu1y that l was ap-
POINTED consular agent without the slightest solicit
Ialon OF the ONCE on my part, though am proud
ana ana slad To nave the opportunity OF thus serving
As consular agent I am not a salaried officer, the
income from fees amounting 10 about S25 So
without RESTRICTIONS Of any KIND Ny business de
m=anded = my presence in the United States, and
approval Of Consul t9oldsc hmfdt recommended the
temporary appointment as acting consular agent of
William E, Phelps an American and a graduate OF
harvard who IS IN my employ. ana whom con-
worthy. According to Mr. Bowen's own statement
Felps mas nIied the position most credtably during
Realizing that my business would force me TO
remain in the United states considerable length
OF time. on two separate occasions. and inter
department about the extent Of my leave Of alb
sence and not wishing to abuse the consideration
shown ma of
@ @-hese occasions TO resign from the office If thai
ing Seer etary of State, as well as the chief of
fhe 1s SThsear .ie bureaG hat i had confidence in
consular agent. and he was approved by the con-
and that my resignation was not desired NV sub
mitting this matter to the decision OF the de-
to my relations with Mt Bowen. for he was not
IN venezuela at the time and It was then gen
orally thought ne would not return there, and I
shared that orinion-
Mr.. Bowen states that am working for a syndi-
friends and that during my recent stay in Caracas
l was so commonly reported" to be securing
valuable prtvileges near the Orinoeo River a
by Mr., Loomis and myself thar he had to regard
me as suspicious character. Aside from the fact
Ornoco River by America citizens is hardly a
ground for being considered suspicious character
ignorance OF Venezuelan conditions and his duties
Mr. Bowen wen knew that 7 represent the
Ornoco COr0OratiOn owners OF the Or'noco con-
plotting and developing Of The mineral and other
/ natural resources in the territory Orino-o
{ Delta. I say he knew this fact in the first place
because the concession IS one of the most famous
privileges ever granted by Venezuela. given more
than -wenty years ago. when Venezuela thought to
thus enlist American intervention in her boundary
d'@pvtA with Great Prfta'7 nd +'e ~e-'1s ~os-oo-
ing the same not only on file in the American
legation at Caracas. brt are v7H-+Nr ~ ro7'---O-
tp"-lcdge 20 ave-v student of Venezuelan political
. conditions and history.
say Mr.. Bowen knew the nature OF my connec-
ton with this property. because in authorization
possible serious difncuItes with Venezuela, the
Instance ~ the Hon. Jackson II. Rals-on. attorney
OF the Or4noCo Corporation the solicitor OF the
State Department had sent instructions to Mr.
Rowen to lend his good Offices in securing the
tain righs and prtvl -es 70 which he COr0o-aJion
is entitled under the concession contract prov'd-g
! he was requested 10 do 80 by myself or anv other
accredited Representative . Orfr0co C-orrora-
ton. have never seen these Instructions but IN
. nv interview with Nr. Bowen on February IS he
admitted havfng received the same ard offered M
call on General Ybarra about The marter at once
/ The very fast that. dsrrus-t1S his Judgment.
requested him not 10 10 so. Is 7 take IT, reason
why he has shown such intense a"i~1>sitv AGAINST
S.nce urcfar-ed m banIIa the ans4fr
nvselF direct with General Castro who Or,r4fv
co-n0IisF With iue' -~~rezt
have aIrea6v eu7Dhati0aIlv sad IN nv previous
neither directly INDIRECTLY 7 ever had a7v
f7accf7I business interests IN common with NJ
Loomfs. and the high character and commercial
and social standing Of L. A. Ault. OF C'fr~in-
matt. who 70 my knowledge Is the o-lv re~sO,9l
friend = NJ Loor-is ie Interested IN the o.
noco Corporation. are well known Secretary Taft
/ At the conclusion OF his testimony Mr.. Bowen de-
clined to cross-exemue Mr DoIge whereupon Mr.
Dodge urged upon Secretary Taft that he must in
sist upon feing cross-examined. to which the Sec
You can lead a horse to water but YOU can't
make him drink. and - MI Bowen does wsTr
10 ask you any questions he cannot be compelled
10 do So.