The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-04-28
''FALSEHOODS,"
SAYS LOOMS
Acting Secretary Of State De.
nl0S Papers Charges.
ISSUES A STRONG STATEMENT
Hs Reviews Accusations and Denies In
Detail and ln TOtallt In an En-
phatlc Manner

Washington, April 2.-Absolute denial
OF certain charges affecting his official
integrity while minister at Caracas was
made by Mr.. Loomis. the acting secre-
tary OF state In statement given out
by him last night The statement briefly
but emphaucally denies in detail and in
totality each and every charge. 1t fol-
lows:
"In view OF certain charges affecting
my official character published in the
New York Herald April 20. and again re-
ferred to in that papers issue OF April
q and otherwise widely circulated.
think II proper 10 make the following
statement:
Those charges were in substance: First,
that while acting in my official capacity
as United States minister TO Venezuela
! obtained considerable pecuniary benefits
from the New York and Bermudez As
phalt company and that a check showing
the payment of $1,000 to me by that COM
pany is now in the possession of Presi-
dent Castro.
The charge is absolute falsehood. /
never asked nor received. directly or in
money or property or other thing Of
value, or any promise or suggestion there
OF, from the New York and Bermudez
company or from anyone acting in it's
interests or behalf
A BUSINESS TRANSACTION.
Americans who have lived in Caracas
know that rates Of exchange between the
United States and Venezuela are high
there, owing TO unsettled conditions In
Venezuela, and that at times II is impos-
sible 70 purchase New York exchange at
Caracas.
"na- nay final departure -fHeH4 NeHeztfels
as minister I had money in a bank in
Caracas. l wished to convert my Ven
ezuelan money into United States money.
and ! exchanged checks at the posted
United States government rates with
the manager OF the New York and Ber-
mudez company at Caracas. my check to
the company calling for Venezuelan
money and his check to me calling for
United States money.
1T was a simple business transaction.
American ministers have similar diff
culties in exchange and similar transac-
tions in many parts OF the world where
exchange is fuctuating or impossible 20
obtain.
The transaction was absolutely free
gestion. or the thought thereof. The pre-
posterious nature OF this charge affecting
my official integrity is shown by the
fact that whatever | did, and that all
that / did I'm giving my official support
as United States minister TO the New
York and Bermudez company was done
In obedience 10 Instructions from the
secretary Of state and was approved by
him after full reports of the entire con-
troversy from its inception
NEVER PURCHASED CLAIM.
THE second charge made is. that while
minister TO Venezuela, / purchased a
claim of 10000 bolivars Cor 5000 against
the Venezuelan government and then
used my influence as minister TO collect
the full amount from the government
Il never puchased. or owned. or had
any interest in any claim against the
Venezuelan government. and l never
prosecuted, in any manner or form. any
claim against that government except
in obedience TO instructions from the
secretary OF state. after submitting a
full report OF the case TO him
The third charge is, that I agreed
with Mr.. Meyers to use my influence
10 adjust an obligation 10 the amount OF
Sl0.0o0000 for a consideration OF one
seventh of that sum. or, nominally. 81
100000
II never agreed. or promised. or sug-
gested, directly or indirectly In any- man
ner whatever that ] would use my in
fiuence TO adjust any obligation against
the Venezuelan government. The charge
is absolutely false"