New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-16
MAJOR RAFFERTY, BLAMED.
VENEZUELA CASE ON.
Testimony That Asphalt Trusts
MANAGER Aided ReUoLutionists.

The first hearing of testimony in this country
in the suit of the government of Venezuela
against the New-York and Bermudez Company,
of the Asphalt Trust, for $11,O0OOO0 was held
yesterday before Commissioner Alexander in
the Postoffice Building. Rufus 3. Cowing, jr.,
and Frank ]. Dupignac appeared as counsel for
Venezuela and John Bassett Moore and John
D. Lindsay represented the asphalt company.
The action is for alleged participation of the
Asphalt Trust in the revolution of General
Manuel A Matos against the legal government
three years ago.
From evidence adduced yesterday it was
shown that assistance was given the revolution
lists by orders from the late Major Malcolm A.
Rafferty,. of the list Regiment. who was general
manager in the West Indies for the Asphalt
Trust, with headquarters at Port of Spain. This
testimony given by Edward D. Jeffs, who
at the time was superintendent of the New
York and Bermudez Company, at Guanoco.
where the asphalt lake is situated.
Mr.. Jeffs. testifying for the plaintiff, answered
in the Affirmative the following questions:
Whether it is true that he superintendent of
the New-York and Bermudez Company in Guanoco
Whether it is true that in his capacity of superin-
ager of the New-York and Ber1nudez Company to
aid the revolutonists against the established gov
company i'm Guanoco could so do.
Whether it is true that he also received instruc-
tions from the head officers of said company to
comply with any orders or demands made ] by the
Governor of the Maturin section :.
Whether It is true that various occasions he
complied with and filled the acquisitions OF General
Ducharne for victuas for the maintenance Of his
or was PASS passing st't through here
whether it Is true that he has in his possession
with respect to the matter mentioned in the last in
terrogatory, and which he can produce.
The requests referred 10 in the last question
and written by General H Ducharme. in COM
produced by Mr.. Jeffs and placed in evidence
They read:
Cano Colorado. December 25, 1902.
Mr.: E D. Jeffs Gnanago lq61 r,o-zoo +,o naara- .,
M Ny Dear @ sl5 and is gong on an Urgent
commission as far as GuariQuen if he thought IT
am. sincerely yours H DUCHARME.
Cano. Colorado. March 80. 1902
Dear Sir: Bearer is my secretary INA nave f, SEM NJ
a similar manner as if I were present You can
91Sf 81 ttn ies scconn+ laCIi ta II. DUCHARNE
The La Brea Company is another name un-
der which the trust operates Five additional
ouestions asked MI Jeffs and answered affirm
atively, We're:
Whether it is true and he knows of bis own
knowledge that the company had thtr[y n dlnes ] anu
WbethsE that he witness e caused 4 bg gePas 9s
of the revoutonfsts in the shops or the company
Whetber if is true that in accordance with in,
structions received from his suPerors ne abr
to Colonel Michelena Winchester flIe, caLGts itt
A and another to Colonel Sixto IJeal Win
200 cartridges each. ,, .,.,z
from C1uanoco to transport revolutionary IIool9
Whether It is true that he carried 70 pf; ttutv
E Rotas the revolutionary agent IN Fort OF SPAN;
island of Trinidad twelve thousand bo!ivares and
that the Venezuelan money was exchanged lCt
English money the office of the company al Forl
Of spain by order OF the general manager.
Frederick r Bartlett appeared as a witness
for the defendant. He in the employ OF the
New-York and Bermudez Company in Venezuela
at the time of the insurrecton, and is still IN
its employ He testified that Major Rafferty,
had instructed him not to interfere in Fenez-
uelan politics He said, further. that never to
his knowledge in his stay had supplies been sent
to C;uanoco from Trinidad the companys
steamer viking for the revoutionsts.
Mr. Bartlett on cross-examination, testified
that the Viking had made trips while he was
away from Guanoco- He said that several
nackages were delivered the contents
Of which were unknown him. Although
MIR bartlett testified that Major Rafferty,
had never met General AIatOs In Trinidad.
Mr. Jeffs's testimony that the major had
nersonallv told him that he had met the rebel
leader at the Queens Park Hotel, at Port or
Snain NTr- Jeffs also declared that he told the
general manager of the asphalt interests that
he was treadng dangerous ground, TO Which
the latter replied. referring to President cas-
tro. .eWe can't do anything with that fellow.
Neither counsel made objection yesterday 10
the Introduction of any of the evidence. All op-
jections TO questions will be made When II IS
submitted to the High Federal Court. at Cara
cas yvbara the case is being tried.