The Washington times., 1905-04-29
BOWEN RECALLED
To FACE LOOMS
WITH ACCUSATION
Must Substantiate Scan
dalous Charges or
Quit Service.
METHODS DISAPPROVED
Censured For Reporting
Gossip and Using Cable
To Do So.
METHODS DISAPPROVED

secretary upon
tons from President Roosevelt, today
issued orders recalling Minister Bowen
from Caracas.
William w. Russell, of Rockville. now
minister to Colombia, has been appoint
ed minister to Venezuela.
| Mr.. Bowen is ordered to report in
Washington at once. His retention in the
diplomatic service depends upon whether
he can substantiate the charges made by
MIN against his superior, Francis 3.
Loomis. First Assistant Secretary of
State.
Assistant Secretary Loomis has made
| charges TO Secretary Taft that afr Bos
en- was responsible for the publica ton
Of the story alleging that he, MIR. Loom
IS, was involved in scandals in Venezue-#
La.
President Roosevelt will decide wheth-4
er Mr.. Bowen was justified in undertak-
Ing to make charges against his supe-
rdor. If his action is approved Mr.
Bowen viii probably be sent to Chile q
take charge of the posi- now vacant
there. Failure to prove these charges
will result in Mr. Bowen's dismissal.
Smirches Loomis' Record.
Mr.. Bowen, American minister at Ca
| raeas, reported to the State Department
that he had reason to believe the rec
ord of his superior. Mr.. Loornis. who
preceded him as minister to Venezuela,
was not clean.
Several weeks ago, before President
Roosevelt departed on his hunting trip.
Minister Bowen eabled that 1t was the
current gossip of the clubs and in the
street IN Caracas that President Castro
| OF Venezuela held check made out 10
Mr. Looinls by the New York and BeF-
mudez Asphalt Company.
| This drew from Secretary Hay q re-
| buke TO Mr.. Bowen. Mr.. Hay. informed
| Mr.. Bowen he should not have reported
! gossip, and should not have sent it by
| cable.
| President Roosevelt investigated the
| charge about the check and satisfied
i himself 1t was not well founded without
further action on the case.
| He had not been absent long from
! Washington on his Western trip when
Mr.. Bowen nled further charges. OF
/ these Mr.. Bowen declared there was
| documentary proof He did not produce
the 1ull proofs which he said existed
Personal Letter to Taft.
These charges We're made by Mr..
Bowen IN a personal letter TO Mr.. Taft.
The Secretary decided he could not con-
| slider them personally. as ne was acting
head OF the State Department, but that
they must be officially investigated. He
sent them to President Roosevelt.
The charges did not include that con-
cerning the ten-thousand-dollar check.
| Secretary Taft received the charges
back from the President with instruc-
tions that they should be shown TO Mr..
| Loomis and an answer in writing re-
quired of him.
Mr.. Loomis has not yet submitted his
answer. He is allowed u reasonable
time in which to reply.
The summoning OF Mr., Bowen to
.va.Tzf tzsr-
was requested by Mr.. Loomis. He de-
sired that the charges be made in per-
son to the President.
The fact that the Administration has
decided upon Mr.. BOwen's removal from
Caracas Is an Indication that the I4oonis-
Bowen episode is regarded of so serious
ID character that il would be against
! the interests of the United States To
retain Bowen in Castro's capital The
Venezuelan president mas long ago made
objection TO Mr.. Bowen's style of dip1o-
! macy, but never actually made a request
fer his recall.
Bowen's Successor.
w. W. Russell. who will succeed Mr.
Bowen and who will take up the ne
gotiations in the famous asphalt eontro-
versy, enjoys the confidence and esteem
] of the Administration. He has only
been a few months as minister at the
Colombian capital He was secretary
, of legation at caracas previous to Detns
r sent TO Bogota, and is, therefore. ac
E quainted with conditions In Venezuela
It is announced that John Barrett
E minister to Panama. will be transferres
to Colombia to take Mr.. Russeii's place
There will be an opportunity TO sent
1 MI Bowen to Chile should he .tain tht
{ Administration good wishes. That pos
> | is now unoccupied. II may be, however
that Chile will not welcome such an ap
! | pOintment.
According to present indica tions Mr.
: E3owen's action in Venezuela will eos
| him his place in the diplomatic service
1t is said by Mr.. LOOMS friends tina
Herbert w Bowen was responsible TO
h the publicatio of the stories in which
e Mr.. Loomis was accused of being II.
= stantiated 1t will be enough in itself t
c result in Bowens dismissal or else in
d sevcre reprimand even If he should max
| good in what he has undertaken L