The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-06-21

reprehensible because of the damage Il has undoubtedly done to the interests of this country. We hold peculiar position toward our sister republics ly- ing south of us. In all our dealings with these republics we should en- deayor not merely to act courteousiy justly and generously, but to mak' 1t evident that we are thus acting Any corrupt dealing, any misconduct by one of our representatives to thes' countries calls for the sternest pun ishment: and save only corrupt deal | ing, the worst and most fragrant mis' conduct of which one of these repre-. sentatives can be guilty is to give cur rency to or secure the publication o scandalous attacks upon the service of which he is a member upon on' of his superiors, a responsible head oi that service; for such attacks are cer' tain to be circulated to the discredi of our government and our people, mol only in the newspapers Of our owf country but in the newspapers or the various American republics NC matter how baseless they are, no mat ter how complete the refutation of the charges, they do a damage that can not be wholly repaired
 Dismissal Directed.
 MT. Bowen has been long time in the consular and diplomatic service during much of that time he has don't good work and until recently I had hoped to promote him; If I could con done his misconduct In this case would gald do so. but his usefulness in the diplomatic service is at an end. do not desire to punish him; save for the great risk of the service which would be involved in his retention would be willing to let his conduct SC unpunished save by severe admoni' tion: but I feel that 1t is impossible tc retain him without exposing the in- terests of tho government to risk SC
 great that it cannot justifiiably be incurred. Accordingly I would direct that hIs resignation be requested were 1t not for the statement made on his behalf in your presence and mine to- day that he would consider resigna' Htion an admission of misconduct; ac' cordingly direct that he be dismissed from the service.
 (Signed) Theodore Roosevelt.
 The letter of Secretary Taft to the President, reporting on his inquiry Into the case says that the evidence shows that the only transaction which MT. Loomis ever had with the New York and Bermudez Asphalt Company was a mere transfer of funds from Caracas to New York in which Mir. Loomis was in- discreet in becoming personally in- terested in the Mercado calm. In ar- other transaction in which President Castro regarded Mir. Loomis as acting on behalf of an Amesican syndicate MT. Taft says that MT. Loomis was Ger tainly treading on dangerous ground in bringing his official life so close to transaction in which he must have ex- pected to have great personal in- terest.'
 After exonerating Mir. Lomis of other charges Secretary Taft says:
 LOOmis Indiscreet.
 ''The transactions of Mir. Lomis show it seems to me, that he was not discreet fin withholding personal participation in enterprises in furtherlng which he might find his position as Minister use- ful. Caracas Is full of old CTS and concession hunters. The gos- sip of the town Is full of charges of corruption against every diplomatic representative. Under these ciroum- stances 1t seems to me that 1t was the business of the minister of the United States to keep his. shirts especially clean Of personal participation in any business which might bring him in con tact with the government.
 Mir. Loomis says that he was in- tensely interested IS American Minis ter in encouraging investment Of American capital in Venezuela with view to assisting both countries and bringing them together, that this was known to many at Caracas and attract ed to him all kinds of propositions; that for his effort to further American business interests he received the thanks of an association of American While this was all doubt less true it did not justify MT. Loomis in becoming personally interested in any of the seheTAes either with a mere nominal interest because that would misIead others. or with a substantial interest because 1t would surely in the end make his public duty and private interest conflict.
 LOOmls Slandered.
 No one can read this evidence with ut being convinced that Mir. Loomis las been most cruelty slandered in the charges against his integrity and sin ,erity as a public official and as a man put in the very great satisfaction that we find in his present exculptation rom all charges of dishonesty we can lot be blind to the fact that his fail- Ire to hold himself utterly aloof from my personal participation in plans for investments and exploitation of the country to which he was accredited md from allowing himself to take per- OnaI interests Tn. tTdnSdcllOnS III WnlCn le or his legation might also have to ct in a trust capacity lent color to he aspersions upon his character which his enemies have been only too willing to make anu support.
 q cannot close this without com the dignity and self-restraint which Mir. Loomis has met the charges which have been made against him, made, I am sorry to say, with likely to have provoked rom one of less self-control, counter insult and attack. I cannot say be- ,ause I do not think that the record of | dr. Loomis as Minister to Venezuela | IS shown in this record is such as to | iisquallfy him from service as minjs- er in the diplomatic service of the | United States, but I sincere hope that | litter experience in this case makes 1t | further to point the moral | hat one who occupies the position of Minister of the United States cannot .fford in any country to which he Is | accredited in which business enter ,rises must more or less be affected l ,v Government favor and concession, o make personal investments of any | ,ort or to leave the slightest doubt | IS to the absence of all personal in- | crest in any matters In which he may | ,ring before the Government to which 10 Is accredited.