The Washington times., 1905-06-21
The Diplomatic AK.

The effect Of the Bowen-Loomis
statement issued from the White
House yesterday must be to heighten
the public confidence liz the square
deal" Not even Mr.. Bowen's best
friend can justify his course as re-
yealed by the testimony cited; and
not even Mr.. Loomis' best friend
which Office the Administration is
supposed TO have filled up to this
time-can protest rightfully against
the frank, outspoken, and conclusive
criticism penned by Secretary Taft
and approved by the President
Mr.. Bowen's course has been this:
In mingled public spirit and per-
ported certain apparent misconduct
on the part of Mr.. Loomis, his pre-
decessor and then his superior, to the
State Department. Such report
was, beyond any doubt, his clear
duty. That report having reached
Mr.. Hay. the minister-under all the
rules Of good administration, but par
ticularly under the rules of diplomatic
administration-sho have rested
in the confidence that his hands were
clean, whatever the height of Mr..
LOOMS offense
But Mr.. Bowen did not rest. IN
stead, he seized the opportunity of
fered by the absence Of Secretary
Hay, who had disposed Of the charges
as seemed wise, and the President,
who had no doubt approved Mr.
Hays course in the matter. and wrote
to Secretary Taft, the executive pro
tempore. And the salutation of his
letter: My Dear Bill" indicates, If
it does not prove that he hoped to
obtain from Mr.. Taft as his friend
a hearing he could not obtain from
either MIR. Hay or the President.
Meanwhile he was committing the
very serious offense of undermining
the influence of the United States in
the country to which he was accred-
tied by inspiring newspaper attacks
upon his superior officer Most pub
lie men use the newspapers Gas far
as they CAM by telling the reporters
with much show of confidence as
much as they want the reporters to
use. Mr.. Bowen not only did this,
but told much that ought never to
have been told at all and melted the
newspaper men to use it with all
the sting of resentment and personal
bitterness.
So much for Mr.. Bowen
AS for Mr. LOOMS, he seems to
have willfully confused his personal
character and his capacity as a min
lister plenipotentiary with an indis-
Sretion most extraordinary How a
man with such lack Of Judgment ever
earned his way to the post of AS
sistant Secretary is hard to realize
If he wanted to encourage the invest
ment Of American capital, as he said,
regular channels for that encourage
ment existed under the rules of the
State Department, and they have
proven themselves sufficient at every
other port in the world. But Mr..
LOOMS went so far as to purchase an
interest in a claim against the Ven
ezuelan government In Caracas this
ofiense was particularly reprehensible,
for, as Secretary Taft says:
These transa ctions OF Mr.. Loomis show
what seems to me is apparent that he
was not discreet in withholding personal
participation in enterprises in further
ing which he might find his position as
minister useful. Caracas is full of con-
cession holders and concession hunters.
The gossip of the town is full of charges
OF corruption against every diplomatic
representative. Under these. ci-crm
stances ii seems TO me that it was the
business of the minister of the United
States TO keep his skirts especially clear
OF personal participation in any business
which might bring him into contact with
The government.
So, then, the investigation is at an
end. Both men-though in different
degree-are found wanting. Mr.. Bow
en- is dismissed because he refused to
resign, and the whole American peo-
pie will approve the punishment I'M
gresslonal inquiry that the President
was misinforrned Mir LOOMS is
publicly posted-though with mani
fest reluctance-as one who jeop-
ardized his public service by confus-
ing it with mis- private interests.
There may be some adverse criticism
Of the statement because Mr.. Loom
is was not punished further Be that
as it may. it is not likely that Mr.
LOOMS will find any undiluted COM
fort In this report-any more than
his bitter antagonist, Mr. Bowen