The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-04-29
Mr.. BOWEN MUST
EXPLAIN THINGS
Venezuelan Minister viii Pro-
baby be Ordered Home
LOOMS CAUSES TROUBLE
Rumors About Transactions of Mr..
Bowen's Predecessor Make Neces-
sary a Rigid Investigation BY
the S tate Department.

Washington, April 2S.-Secretary Taft is
considering the ACCESSIBILITY of ordering
Minister Bowen, at Caracas, to report
forthwith in Washington to explain the
charges against Assistant Secretary
Loomis, which he has conveyed to Sec
rotary Taft in a personal letter. If Pres
ident Roosevelt assents this order will
be issued Immediately.
This proceeding is to determine pre-
cisely the extent of Mr.. Bowen's respon-
sibility for the circulation of these
charges. The Official mind here is made
up so far as Mr.. Loomis is concerned;
1t is absolutely convinced of his inno-
cence of any wrong doing while he was
minister to Venezuela and has reached
this conviction after thorough sitting of
the allegations. That being the case, it
Is felt here that Minister Bowen, in order
to escape blame himself, must show that
he did or two things, either by pri-
vate inquiry in Caracas he arrived at an
other conclusion to the truthfulness of
the charges, or that he did what he could
TO denounce them and to discourage their
circulation in Venezuela.
hunorS IN circulation.
Months ago Mr.. Bowen reported to
Secretary Hay that rumors affecting the
integrity of his predecessor were in full
circulation in Caracas, and that to his
knowledge these rumors had been trans
mitted promptly by the foreign diplomatic
representatives to the various European
capitals.
Secretary Hay promptly communicated
this message to the President and then
admonished Mr. Bowen that it scarce
~ was becoming an American minister
TO allow his predecessor to be traduced
when the honor of the mission was in
Volved. Meanwhile an investigation was
conducted here which satisfied the au-
thorities of the innocence of Mr.. Loomis.
The rumors in Caracas became more and
more definite In form as the State De-
partment here increased it's pressure on
President Castro to secure a settlement
of the asphalt case, and finally Mr..
Bowen again took them up and repeated
them to Secretary Taft. The Secretary
felt that no matter how Mr.. Bowen re-
garded It, the matter was not personal
to him and communicated with the Pres
ident on the subject
Could Not Be Dropped.
Having thus become official, however,
the matter cOulu not De dropped, ana
hence the determination to bring Mr..
Bowen to Washington to explain his con-
nection with it. 1t is not doubted that
the President will accept promptly Sec
rotary Tafts suggestion and that Mr..
Bowen will take the next steamer for
this country. One result of the last move
in the case may be the defeat of
project which has been formed to ex-
change Mr. Bowen to another South
American mission. which cannot be done
now unless he shows that he was no
culpable.
1t is expected that the Presidents an
swer to the Secretary's suggestion that
Mr.. Bowen be directed to come to Wash
ington will be received tomorrow, and
1t is not doubted that the President will
accept the Secretary's recommendation.
1t Is regarded as quite certain that Mr.
Bowen will not return to Caracas as
American minister, except perhaps to
present his letters of recall.
Approves Taft's Action.
Washington. April 2s.-Secretary Taft.
1t is understood tonight, heard from
President Roosevelt approving of his
proposition TO direct Minister Bowen at
Caracas to report to Washington to ex-
Plain the charges against Assistant Sec
rotary Loomis of the State Department.
which will be communicated by Secretary
Taft to Minister Bowen.