The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-10
Subscriptions BY Mail. Postpaid.
Asphalt Up Again.

Rea n ~ cdsss ssHd Hamps for maj purpose.
Asphalt Up Again.
For the first time in it's endlessly
tangled history definite ground b
rsaoAsd IN the Venezuelan asphalt case.
The courts Of that country have declared
The concession null and void. This
= decision was expected. 1t Is the con-
firmation by the highest court in Venez-
uela Of the decision rendered on May 20
by the Court ofTipt Instance.
Tho matter, however, Is still very
greatly complicated so far a. it involves
the question Of the right Of the United
States I'd take official notice Of it. This
II true Notwithstanding the fact that
tho case has already been made a Sub
ject Of official consideration. The fea-
lures Of special note in the affair are:
First, that an American company, hold
ing q concession from foreign Govern
ment claims that through a denial Of
Justice In the local courts 1t has suffered
. financial loss to a very largo amount;
and secondly, that the New York and
Burmudez Company in purchasing tho
concession from HAMILTON the original
grantee, made its purchase with full
knowledge that q specific provision in
the grant read a. follow: THAT the
doubts or controversies that may arise
from this contract shall be settled by the
courts Of the republican accordance with
ID laws
On Jan. %, 1904, the High Federal
Court Of Venezuela rendered its deci-
sion In the Felicidad or Warner uinlan
case in favor Of the New York and
Dermudez Company. The officers Of the
hitter company rose up and called the
courts blessed and righteous insti-
tuition. Now that they are the victims
OF an adverse decision they represent
these courts as corrupt and degenerate.
They call upon the United States to
declare war or to do anything else that
would restore to the honorable pro-
motors OF tho asphalt trust the rights
and the money of which they have been
robbed by the villains Of Venezuela.
Even now We can SEQ no occasion what
ever for such talk Of war and naval dem
onstrations as was made g new mont tbs
ago. An American company, whose own
hands arc none too clean. claims an
injury at tho hands Of q neighboring
Government with which we are on suffi-
GENTLY friendly terms for the mainte-
nance Of diplomatic relations. It is
open to the claimants to submit their
case In proper form to the State Depart
n,ent. II IL open to the State Depart
meAt, after review Of the case and the
discovery Of sufficient ground to justify
the stop, to ask Mr.. CASTRO for a diplo-
matte consideration Of the issue and tho
law upon which the adverse decision
was rendered. II Mr.. CASTRO were
then to become unduly saucy it might
be In order to give him spanking.
II ho submitted his side OF the case the
issue could be considered on It's merits.
II American interests have been outraged
an official demand could be made for
justice and restitution. If Mr. CASTRO had
the impudence to refuse such a demand
No could send tugboat down there and
tow him and the Palace Of Mirahores up
70 Coney Island for aspeotacle.
All talk Of strained relations and an
secnte crisA' Il premature. We want
no trouble with Mr.. CASTRO or any other
neighbor. There will be time enough
20 begin that when the aggrieved asphalt
company proves its assertion Of denial
Of Justice" and when Mr.. CASTRO has
rSfussd to act justly. Don C1PR1ANo
may not be a saint, and we may not
holA 1 very high idea Of his particular
hnd Of government but in such an
unsavory affair as the asphalt case We
shall do wisely to heed the advice said
70 have been given by the esteemed Mr..
DAVID CROCKETT: Be sure you're right,
then 30 ahead There should be no
talk Of war or demonstrations until the
resources Of diplomacy have been ex-