The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-10
BOWEN AS PROSECUTOR NOW.
NEW PHASE or THE VENEZUELA
ASPHALT SCANDAL.
Mr.. Bowen suggests That He &c Ordered
tn Caracas 10 Take Testimony Against
Assistant secretary LOomis--M
Rnsseii the New Minister. Examined

Mr.. bowen Sussests That He &c Ordered
IN Caracas 10 Take Testimony Against
Assistant secretary IOOmls-Mr.
Russell, the New Minister. Examined.
WASHINGTON. June a.-Herbert w. Bowen,
who Ia in Washn gton in connection with
the Bowen-I,oomis case. which involves
charges made against Mr.. LOOMS concern
ing his conduct while he was Minister to
Venezuela, and charges against Mr.. Bowen
that he inspired the publication Of these
charges, to-day requested Secretary TAFT
that he he made the Government Commits
sioner to go to Venezuela and make the
full investigation of Mr.. Ioomis's business
transactions. The formal request is now
in Secretary Taft's hands and no action
has been taken
Mr.. Bowen asks that Capt. Parker. Mill
tary Attache of the Caracas Legation, and
Consul Hurst be instructed to take any
testimony which iSA,Iowen may he able to
gathos from witnesses. BY making this
request Mr. Bowen places himself in the
position of prosecutor OF the charges. an
attitude he has abstained from thus far
He has always maintained that he was not
sponsor for the allegations. but that he
laid them lefore the State Department as
a matter of duty. The text of his request
to Secretary Taft is as follows:
IL now have the honor to respectfully
suggest that If any doubt remains in your
mind as to the culpability Of Mr.. Loomis
be ordered to return to Caracas, and that
with Capt Parker and Consul Hurst I
be instructed to take testimony Of any
and all persons acquainted with the facts
in this case. and be provided with letters
requesting Mr. Loomis's bankers and the
Venezuelan Government to give me certi-
fled copies of any papers that NAV tend
to prove the nature of Mr.. Loomis's trans
actions while he was Minister to Venezuela. 4"
w. w. Russell, under appointment as
Minister to Venezuela who was secretary
of the American Legation at Caracas while
Mr.. I.oomis was Minister there, was ex-
amdned to-day There were present Secre-
tary Taft, Mr.. Bowen, Mr. LOOMS and Mr..
Russell. Mr. Bowen questioned Mr. Rus
but few questions. The principal topic
was what Is known az the Mercador claim,
The evidence concerning this CAIN shows
wherein Mr. Loomis had in his possession
certain Venezuelan Government bonds.
which Mr.. Russell disposed OF at time
when MT. LOOMS WAS dUcut
Mr. LOOMS has explained that he secured
the bonds from A. F. Jaurett. editor of the
Venezuelan Herald, since eXiled, as security
for loan Of 5000 to Jaurett which the
latter used in purchasing a part OF the
claim. Mr.. LOOMS says that it was per-
fectly legitimate transaction and that he
made $Ss on it.
Mr. Bowen asked Mr. Russell il he had
not told him tMr Bowenl. when the latter
first went to Venezuela, that have been
doing all the work here, and LOOMS has
been making all the money
Mr.. Russell said that he did not remember
just what was said but any such remark
on his part did not refer alone to Mr.. LOOMS
but to the syndicate which was dealing
with Venezuelan claims. Mr.. Russell said
also, in reply to questions from Mr. Bowen
that he did not think it proper for diplo,
matte representative OF a country to deal
in any business transactions, although he
would hesitate to criticize any one for
doing so :, =,
One l'nwine OF New York has been called
az a witness. He is supposed to know some
thing of the check which Mr. LOOMS re-
ceived from the asphalt company