The San Francisco call., 1905-04-26


CARACAS. Venezuela. April 25-
Either the American Minister to Ven
ezuela should be removed or the First
Assistant Secretary of State should be
asked to step out of his Office in Wash
ington," was the startling statement
made by a dispassionate observer of
Venezuelan affairs in Caracas to-day.
This same idea has occurred 10 many
persons who have visited Caracas re-
Gently and who have remained there
long enough TO obtain some inkling of
the diplomatic scandal centering
around the two officials desig-
mated. This scandal racks the entire
community and is of such a nature
that, whether true or false, il seems
I impossible that the two officials can
continue much longer in the same de-
partment of the overnment
Briefly stated, the scandal which is
now public property in this capital,
involves the allegation that while act
ing as United States Minister to Ven
ezuela, present Assistant Secretary
/ OF State Loomis obtained considera-
Bile pecuniary benefits from the New
York and Bermudez Asphalt Company
and that check showing a payment
Of $4,000 to him by the company is
/ now in the possession of President
Castro. This, it is held by many per-
sons, supplies the true explanation of
President Castro's continuous defiance
of the United States in the asphalt
matter. 1t is said to have clogged the
free action Of that government, which
is not anxious for the ventilation of an
administration scandal.
Other charges against Loomis are
that. while Minister he purchased for
a trifling sum claim for $4,000 against
the Venezuelan Government and then
used his influence as Minister to COL
lect the full amount
Still another document is apparently
a draft of a contract entered into be-
tween Lomis and one Meyer, under
which Loomis agreed TO use his in
fiuence to adjust heavy outstanding
obligations of Venezuela to the
amount of $4,000, 900. for a considera-
tion of one-seventh of that sum, or,
nominally. 81. 400. 900.
The allegations against Loomis
have been laid before the State De-
partment in Washington. Secretary
Hay, acting Secretary Taft and Presi-
dent Roosevelt are cognizant of them.
WASHINGTON. April 25.-First AS
sistant Secretary of State Loomis de-
clined to discuss in detail for publica-
ton the charges current in Caracas,
that he had used his official position
nudez Asphalt Company for his per-
sonal advantage.
Some of the details of the charges. :"
said Loomis. ARE already known to
the President. In view of his absence
from Washington. it is impossible for
me to discuss the matter In due time
the charges Will receive all the at
tention they deserve"
An official Of the State Department
said that little attention had been at
tracted by the charges made in Ca
racas until recently, when they be-
gan to assume particularly virulent
form. They had now, however, he
said, developed in such manner as to
call for some definite and positive ac-
ton. This, he intimated, would follow
Immediately upon the return of Presi-
dent Roosevelt from the South on May
%.
IT feel certain" continued this Of
fetal, that President Roosevelt will
go to the bottom of the case and will
call Mr. Bowen from Caracas to sub
stantiate his charges. IT is essential
that this be done for the honor of the
Diplomatic and State departments"