The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-17
The Loomts.BOwen Affair.

1t is satisfactory to learn that until
Secretary TAFT has reported the out
come of careful investigation Of the
matter in dispute between Mr.. Bowen,
lately Minister at Caracas. and Assistant
Secretary Of State LOOMS, no action will
be taken by President ROOSEVELT in the
premises. The issues have been mar
rowed to question of fact and to ques-
ton Of diplomatic usage.
The question of fact is no longer
whether Mr.. LOOMS, when Minister to
Venezuela. accepted bride from the
New York and Bermudez Company.
That charge was some time ago made
the subject Of rigorous inquiry. and
has proved to be entirely without
foundation. So far as this accusation is
concerned, the minds of Secretary TAFT
and President ROOSEVELT are believed
to be made up. Ex-Minister LOOMS did
not receive money improperly from the
corporation mentioned. The only atom
of basis for the allegation is that at Car
acas he exchanged his personal check
for a draft drawn by a representative
of the New York and Bermudez Com
pany That is a perfectly legitimate
accommodation, frequently sought by
the diplomatic representatives OF our
Government where the rate of exchange
between the countries to which they are
accredited and the United States is ex-
cessively high, not to say exorbitant.
Some minor criticisms on Mr.. LOOMS
were also examined by Secretary HAY
and found to be equally unsubstantial
The question of fact which Mr.. Bowen
will be called upon to answer is whether
he is personally responsible for the publ
cation of the charges against his prede-
cessor at Caracas in Venezuelan and
American newspapers. 1t is obvious
that, even if there we're strong prima
rjocie evidence that they were we'll found
ed it was not the business of an American
Minister to instigate the public yentila-
zion of imputations on the character Of
fellow diplomat. Even in private con-
versation his lips should have been
sealed pending the announcement of
decision by his official superior, because
it is Of national Importance that the repu-
tation Of American diplomacy should be
spotless. Far from aiding it was his duty
to rcpel the attempt Of personal enemies
of his forerunner in office to secure snap
judgment from public opinion, recogniz-
ing that it was primarily the function of
our Secretary of State to scrutinze the
acts and character Of the State Depart
plents representatives.
AS regards then the question of fact,
should the investigation conducted by
Judge TAFT as Acting Secretary of State,
show that the circulation of calumnious
charges against Mr.. LOOMS was insti-
gated or .countenanced by Minister
/ BOWEN, the latter must be pronounced
disqualified for position in our diplo-
matte service. 1t is understood that
Secretary TAFT is an old friend of Mr..
Bowen. Nevertheless, we may take for
granted that, in the case supposed, he
will say to him Il love thee, but never
more be officer Of mine.
But how, it may be asked. is the State
Department to learn that there is any
thing to be investigated? This inquiry
brings us'to the question OF diplomatic
usage. Assuming that he had nothing
to do with the publication of the charges
against his predecessor at Caracas. shall
we say that it was Minister Bowen duty
to bring them in colorless way to the
knowledge OF our State Department, or
to pass them over altogether in his off,
/, cial or CONFIDENTIAL reports' Manifestly,
W.