The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-06-21

statement of Messrs. Dater and Riddle and the letter from Wright that Mir Bowen, while minister at Caracas, in. stigated and requested and actually SC. cured the publication of attacks or the Assistant Secretary of State and furnished to the press copies of docu. ments believed to reflect upon the As. sistant Secretary of State. which docu. ments were already before the Score tary of State for Investigation. Mir Bowen's excuse for this conduct SC far as 1t can be made out seems to bt that he expected the newspaper men tc keep his connection with the charges secret. In other words. he apparently regards his case as improved In that he secured this attack upon his officiai chief in furtive and underhand man. ner and that he did not intend that his connection with the attack should be dtvulged.
 "Of course such conduct Is inexcus- able and shows MT. Bowen's entire un- fitness to remain in the diplomatic ser vice without regard to whether the charges he has made against MT Loomis are true or false. Even if MT Loomis had been guilty. Mir. Bowen conduct would be unpardonable. Inas- much as Secretary Taft's careful inves- tigation of the charges shows them to be false, his attitude appears in an even worse light. But it must be kent in mind that his unfitness for the ser vice is clearly established by his own conduct without any reference to the question of MT, Loomiss action. The department of State had explicitly for bidden just such conduct in n reneraI circular issued over three years ago.
 OneRse without Excuse.
 Tt appears from the testimony that caracas Is seething with scandal and that all kinds of accusations are rife. not merely against Mir. LoomIs and Mr' Bowen. but against practically every other diplomatic representative now residing or who has recently resided there. There is no excuse whatever Tor repeating the injurious and malt cious gossip circulated about these va rlous men. Mir Bowen himself. however. mas not only furnished and brought for ward a great deal of such gossip about MT. Loomis, but has evidently been one or the main sources from which if originated. He tried to tamper with the cable operator through our consul 1t La duayira, MT. Goldschmidt, in order to secure what he hoped would be discriminating telegrams against MT Loomls. MT. Goldschmidt's reply was: It would be dishonorable to do what you ask of me- Mir. Goldschmidt in his letter of May 8, 1905 says; MT Bowen never lost an opportunity to be- little Mir. Loomis's character. ability. etc. when he spoke to me of him and seemed to have an extraordinary animus against his predecessor" MT. Bowen asked one of the men he him selt produced as a witness, Senor Pastor, to enter into the employ of A certain company for the purpose of obtaining Gin plain words. of stealinal documents which he hoped might In- criminate Mir. Loomis. He has evident ly for many months. indeed. for the last two years, devoted himself to hunting up every piece of scandal or gossip of which he heard affecting MT. Loomis until 1t has seemingly become 8 monomania with him and has caused him to show complete disloyaIty to the service to which he belongs and there fore to tho country which he has rep- resented.
 Breach of Duty.
 Tt was his duty to make known to his superior officers any facts refiectinR on the honesty of MT. Loomis or any other officials. but 1t was a breach of his. duty to make loose and reckless charges and especially to give these charges public currency after their sub mission for investigation by the depart nent.
 MT. BOwen's conduct is especially