New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-28
ALL FALSE, SAYS LOOMS.
CHARGES SQUARELY MET.
BOzcen Nag Be Asked to Prove HIS
Statements or Resign.
LFRoM TIE TRIBUNE BuREAu.I

lFROA TRIBUNE BUREAU
Washington. April 27.-Francis B. Loonis. AS
sistant Secretary OF State. issued the following
statement tonight:
In view OF certain charges affecting my OFF,
cial character published in The New York Her
AID April 26. and again referred to in that
papers issue Of April 81 and otherwise widely
circulated, think it proper to make the follow
Those charges were in substance:
FTst-That while acting in my official capacity
as United States Minister to Venezuela l OBJ
tanned considerable pecuniary benefits from the
New York and Bermudez Asphalt Company. and
that check showing the payment Of $4,000 to
me by that company is now in the possession
OF President Castro.
This charge is an absolute falsehood. 1 never
asked nor received, directly or indirectly. in any
manner or form, any money or property or other
thing OF value, or any promise or suggestion
thereof from the New-York and Bermudez Com
behalf
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 impossible TO purchase NewYork
exchange at Caracas On my final departure
from Venezuela a Minister l had money in a
bank in Caracas I wished to convert my
Venezuelan money into United States money,
and exchanged checks at the posted United
states government rates with the manager OF
the NewYork and Bermudez Company at Ca
racss. my check to the company calling for
venezuelan money ana his check to me calling
for United States money It was simple bust
ness transaction. American ministers have SIM
liar difficulties in exchange and similar trans
actions in many parts of the world where ex-
change is fiuctuating impossible TO obtain.
The transaction was absolutely free from evil
doing or evil influence or suggestion or the
thought thereof The preposterous nature Of
this charge affecting my official integrity is
shown by the fact that whatever did and all
that die in giving my official support as United
States Minister TO the New-York and Bermudez
Company done in obedience to instructions
from the Secretary OF State, and was approved
by him after full reports Of the entire Contro-
versy from its inception.
The second charge made IS that while Min
lister to Venezuela purchased claim of 10000
boliVars (or S4 ,000D against the Venezuelan gov
eminent, and then used my influence Minis
ter 10 collect the full amount from the govern
ment. I never purchased owned or had any
interest in any claim against the Venezuelan
government, and never prosecuted in any man
ner or form any claim against that government
except in obedience 20 instructions from the
Secretary Of State. after submitting full
port of the case 10 him.
The third charge is that I agreed with Mr..
Meyers to my influence to adjust Obl-
CATION 20 the amount Of $10000000 for a con-
nally. S1,4O0O00
never agreed or promised or suggested. di-
rectly indirectly, in any manner whatever,
that I would use my influence to adjust any
obligation against the Venezuelan government.
The charge is absolutely false.
Specific charges similar to the above have
been preferred against Mr.. Loomis by Minister
Bowen who addressed Secretary Taft on the
subject. The Secretary promptly forwarded Mr..
Bowens communication 10 the President. ana
# is generally expected that official state
ment win ultimately be issued either by the
President or the Acting Secretary of State. In
the mean time Mr. Loomis will not discuss any
of the details Of the affair the part played in
it by Minister Bowen.
Information has also reached the State De-
partment from unofflcial sources to the effect
that the charges referred to by Mr.. Loomis in
his statement were given to the press by Minis
ter Bowen. although that statement remains
to be verified. The indications are that Mr..
Bowen has placed himself in a very delicate
position and that unless he prove the
curacy OF his charges his resignation VIII be
called for
The charges have doubtless reached the Pres
ident and are believed 10 account in part for
his decision TO curtau his hunting trip and start
for Washington a week earlier than he had ex-
pected. There are other important affairs,
however which require his attention, and it is
assumed that a combination of various matters
Of state has caused his decision.