New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-23
CALL MINISTER RUSSELL.
4 WITNESS FOR BOWEN.
j. @. Dater Heard by Secretary Taft
Decision Delayed.
[rRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU


washington, May 22-There will be no de-
cision in the Looms-Bowen case for two weeks
or more, until Minister Russell now supposed to
be the way from Bogota TO Washington. can
arrive here and testify regarding certain ques-
tons at issue between the Acting Secretary of
State and Mr.. Bowen. Secretary Taft deter
mined to await the arrival of Mr.. Russell at the
request Of Mr.. Bowen, who is convinced that the
new Minister to Venezuela would be able to con-
firm certain important statements entered In evil
dence Mr.. Russell 1T will be recalled, was Sec
lsretary Of Legation at Caracas while Mr. LOOMS
Minister to venezula and for part of Mr..
Bowen's term
Mr.. Loomis's friends feel that II is somewhat
unjust to him that the charges none of which
have thus far been substantiated. should, under
these circumstances, remain pending so long,
but Secretary Taft is determined to go to the
bottom Of the affair and he believes that the
more thorough the investigation the more salts
factory must be the exoneration when the
charges disproved 1t is also argued that
as the President will. in the event that the
Bowen charges entirely dissipated. probably
promote Mr.. LOOMS to diplomatic post which
Will require confirmation by the Senate. it would
be unwise to sacrifice thoroughness to impatience
at this time, only to have the charges revamped
before a Senate committee. Secretary Taft is
anxious to make his inquiry so sweeping that no
possibility OF an aftermath will remain.
While no official information is given. it seems
certain that Mr.. Loomis's charge that Mr..
Bowen was at least chiefly responsible for the
publication Of the details of the scandal. has
been practically substantiated, but no decision
regarding the Minister'S cupability be
reached until all question of the authenticity OF
the charges has been settled.
Mr.. Bowen maintains that Mr.. LOOMS has not
yet submitted documentary evidence esta blish-
ing the falsity of the charge involving his &C
Ceptance or the $1,000 check from the asphalt
company but it is believed that Mr. Loomis can
and will avail himself of this delay to submit
his cancelled check given in return for that Of
the asphalt company, or a transcript of the
DOCKS OF the Bank Of Venezuela. which must set
at rest all doubt on that question.
BOWEN'S TALK WITH DATER
One of, the three additional witnesses in the
summoned by Secretary Taft reached
Washington to-day in the person of John G.
Dater, of The New-York Herald" the reputed
author Of the newspaper publication containing
the charges against Mr.. Loon1is. Mr.. Dater had
a conference with Secretary Taft lasting about
hour, Mr.. Bowen mean while calling at the
department and remaining in waiting. Mr.
Dater was called with special reference to Mr.
Loomis's counter charge that Mr. Bowen had
supplied to the press the information on which
the publications were based. Mr. Dater told
Secretary Taft that while in Caracas he had
heard great deal of the allegations involving
Mr.. Loomis's administration, and had talked
with more than person about them. Mr..
Bowen had talked. he said, not making a re-
quest that Mr.. Dater publish these charges but
said that some day he hoped TO be able to get
the before the public
After Mr. Dater left the Secretary's office he
charged by Mr.. Bowen with betrayal of
confidence in connection with the publication of
the charges, an imputation which he denied.
Mr. Bowen, after talking further with Mr..
Dater, admitted that he had done him an in
justice in making such a charge.
Mr. Bowen saw Secretary Taft Immediately
after Mr.. Dater departed. and submitted a re-
joinder, together with q general denial of all
statements affecting his official conduct
Caspar Whitney, Of New-YOrk, another wit
ness summoned to Washington, has been heard
by the President. but it is said that he had no
material evidence to give.
Minister Russell instructed a week ago
to come to Washington, not in connection with
the Loomis-B Bowen case, but to discuss with the
authorities here his treatment of affairs at
Caracas, with special reference to the asphalt
controversy 1t is not intended to take any
action IN this case before Congress meets next
fall provided nothing happens in Venezuela to
force an issue. The press advices from Caracas
indicating that the resources of the law have
not been exhausted and that an appear to a.
higher court has been granted, make 1t easier
for the government here to proceed in this
leisurely fashion.