The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1905-02-17
.Li CA.5,Ifl'S ORDERS
VENEZUELAN COURT DECIDES TO
coNFlscATE PROPERTY OF
ASPHALT COMPANY.
AMERICANS INTERESTED IN C0ACERH
STATE DEPARTMENT. LIKELY TO
TAKE ENERGETIC ACTION
IN TIE PREMISES.

Paris. Feb. IA semi-oficial dis
patch from Caracas Venezuela, says
hat unon the pressure of President,
Castro the court has ordered the Sc.
guestration OF the. landed property OF
the American Asphalt company.
This decision, the dispatch adds, has
caused excitement in the American
colony at Caracas.
CONFIRMED III WASHINGTON.
venezleia Coniscates Property of AS
pfaIt Company.
Washington, Feb. l7.-The state de.
partment during the day received a
cab.egram from Minister Bowen, dated
at CaIae as. stating that the supreme
court had confirmed its former decree
seGuesLlalins the property in Vene-
zuala uf the American Asphalt com.
IaAy.
The action Of the court brings the
as halt dispute to the critical point,
Eor it is now incumbent upon the gov
ernment here to make the next move.
HISTORY OF AsPHALT CASE.
Litigation CT American Company in
Venezuelan Courts.
Washington, Feb. 17.-Some time
last als.ng the Venezuelan court, be
tore which an application had been
fled by the Venezuelan government
tor vacation of the franchise of the
asphait company, decided that the cor
poIatiCn had forfeited its charter
rights and on application Of the gov
ernme1it appointed a receiver for the
property. The American Asphalt com
pary sought to secure g reversal OF
the order for the appointment of
receiver. and the court entertained it's
motion to that effect, but it has now
decided adversely upon this The de-,
cree stops the asphalt company from
further efforts to regain possession OF
It's property by appeals to the Venezu-
elan courts. But at the same time it
lodged the motion now dismissed by
the Venezuelan supreme court the as
phalt company made a strong appeal
to the state department here for aid.
asserting that it had been denied JUS
tice by the Venezuelan government
The president requested Attorney.
General Moody to report whether or
not there had been a
MScarriaqe OF Justice
in this case such as would warrant a
formal protest by this government.
After an exhaustive consideration of
the subject the department of justice
has prepared an opinion, but so far
this has not been formally returned to
the president. 1t is believed that the
opinion is to the effect that the as
phalt company has not been fairly
treated not only according to the prin-
ciples OF English law, but even taking
as basis the ordinary Venezuelan
legal practice. However, the president
has not yet determined upon the
course he shall pursue in this matter.
Minister Bowen, meanwhile, is waiting
for instructions, his status at Caracas
being rather delicate, owing to the
fidelity with which he has executed
the state departments instructions at
various stages in the progress Of the
asphalt cases before the Venezuelan
courts.
Now that President Castro has re-
turned to Caracas it is expected that
our minister will renew his efforts to
prevent the case from proceeding to-
point where a summary demand
must be made upon the Venezuelan
government to right the wrong which
it is alleged to have committed in
this case.
EXTRA SESSION NEXT FALL.
Unless Congress Disposes of Railway
Rate Legislation.
Washington, Feb. 17.--Representa-
tive Townsend of Michigan, one OF the
authors OF the Esch-ToWnsend freight
rate bill. had a talk with the president
during the day regarding the prospects
Tor the enactment of the measure into
| law. MIR. Townsend, who has can
vassed the situation pretty thoroughly,
expressed the opinion that there was
chance for the passage of the bill by
the senate at the present session.
After his talk with the president Mr..
Townsend said that in the event no
legislation cn the rate question was
enacted at this session, an extraordi-
nary session of congress would be
called by President Roosevelt for next
autumn. perhaps in October