The San Francisco call., 1905-06-21

missal of Herbert w. Bowen, for some
years United States Minister to Ven
ezuela, and the exoneration of Assist
ant Secretary of State Francis B.
Loomis of the allegations brought
against him by Bowen are the out
come of the Loomis- Bowen controversy,
which has attracted wide attention for
many months past. This disposition of
the case is made by President Roose-
Welt in a letter addressed to Secretary
Taft, made public. tonight. approving
Mr.. Tafts report on his findings and
conclusions in the case.
The President scnthingIy arraigns
Minister Bowen, declaring that his con-
duct Is especially reprehensibie," that
Mr.. Bowen asked one OF his witnesses
to enter the employ Of certain com-
papy for the purpose "in plain words,
of stealing documents which he hoped
might incriniinate Mr.. Loomis, and that
Mr.. Bowen sshas evidently for many
for the last two years
devoted himself' to hunting up scan-
dnl and gossip until 1t becnme a mono
maufn and caused him "tO show COM
pIete disloyalty' to the country he rep
resented.
The President says he had hoped to
promote Mr.. Bowen, as during much OF
his service he had done good work, but
that his usefulness in the diplomatic SER
vice Is now at an end. The President
adds that he would direct that Mr.. Bow
ems resignation be requested but for his
statement that he would consider a res
ignation an admission of misconduct, and
the dismissal is therefore ordered.
The letter quotes correspondence and
testimony The President states that 1t
appears that Mr. Bowen, while Minister,
secured the publication of attacks on Mr..
Loomis and furnished to the press dOcu-
ments pending before the State Depart
ment for approval and that his explana-
ton is inexcusable and shows his .'entire
unfitness'' for the service Even II MIR.
Loomis had been guilty, says the Presf-
dent, Mr. Bowen's conduct would be un-
pardonable This letter quoted certain
correspondence and testimony.
AGREES WITH TAFT's FINDINGS.
The report of Secretary Taft on the
case, on which the Presidents action is
based, is a voluminous document. review
ing the charges and the evidence taken.
In his report Secretary Taft says there
was nothing dishonorable in the transac-
tions in which Mr.. Loomis figured, but
that he was indiscreet. The report says
that Mr.. Loonlis was not justified in be-
coming personally interested In any OF
the schemes, either with mere nominal
interest or a substantial interest. He
holds however, that Mr.. Loomis has been
most cruelty slandered." commends him
for the self restraint with which he has
met the charges. and points out that Mr..
Loomis' bitter experience In this case
makes it unnecessary to point out tho
moral that q Minister cannot afford, in
the country to which he Is accredited, to
make personal investments, etc. The
Presidents letter to Secretary Taft fol-
lows:
.aTo Secretary Taft-Sir: I have read
your report Of Juno Is on the Bowen
7 .oonnis matter. agree with all your
nndinrs and conclusions regarding Mr..
I.oomis. and have nothing to add thereto
..There remains to be considered the
case as affecting Mr.. Bowen, against
whom Mr. Loomis has made counter
charges. Mr.. Bowen has denied that he
made charges against Mr.. Loomis. This
is a mere matter Of terminology
DIN his letter to Secretary Taft Of
AuriI 2, beginning my Dear Bilp and
.irned Herbert he writes:
HAs understand you are the head
~ the Department of State during tho
nbsencc Of Mr.. Hay, feel that
ourht to see that You are fully I'M
termed M TO the terrible scandal In
the situation here. Consequently, in
cIo.e herewith copies~of papers which
have been in sMr. Hays hands and
which will furnish you facts that
think you should know
"Then follows certain cablegrams, in
Guiding a report that Mr., Loomis was
maid check and that the custodian of
the Bermudez Lake had in his possession
thfs check and also letter promising
that the United States would intervene
and that the President OF Venezuela felt
satisfied because of these facts; a copy
Of a letter to Mr.. Hay of February Is.
1ao5 In which Mr.. Bowen distinctly states
his belief that this alleged. and. as it
turns out, wholly fictitious check and
wholly fictitious letter. were in the hands
OF President Castro, who. because he had
them. undoubtedly had not feared to re-
fuse arbitration with the United States
He then furnishes documents which he
saws were found by him in the legation
safe q year ago and were sent by him
to Mr.. Hay. together with many other
documents, and Mr.. Bowen states that
Mr.. Hay intimated in return that he had
performed his whole duty by sending
these documents to him.
BOWEN'S BLUNT COMMENTS.
'sAr. Bowen makes certain comments on