The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-03-31
CON GRESs Gets
I he VENEZUELA
correspondence
SECRETARY ROOF TRANSMITS TO
BOTH HOUSES THE FIVE MOST
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS IN
COUNTRIES RELATIONS.

WASHINGTON. March 3l.-Secre-
tary OF State Root has transmitted to
congress the correspondence with
Venezuela concerning the American
claims.
There are five questions which have
given this government concern in It's
relation with Venezuela. They are:
Claim of New york & Bernudez
Co., whose asphalt properties
have been forfeited and now are
being operated under the direction
Of President Castro.
Claim Of A. y. Jaurett, a natural
ICED American, who was expelled
by the Venezuelan government.
Claim OF orlnoco corporation,
which arose from repeated con-
eessions, to various strangers, OF
the territory belonging to the cor
poration.
Claim Of orlnoco Steamship Co.,
due TO the annuiment Of an exclu-
Orinoco river.
Claim Of United States & vene-
zuelan Co, growing out OF an
nuiment of asphalt mining and
railroad construction and conees-
sion.
Asphalt Claim most important
The most important Of thu i've
claims which are involved In the dis
pute between the United States and
President Castro is that OF the New
York & Bermudez Co. TO the asphalt
deposits or the South American repuo-
lice.
In connection with this claim is sub
mitted the report OF President Roose-
velt'3 speciai commissioner, W.. j.
Calhoun. Mr.. Calhoun charges that
the Venezuelan government, through
President Castro, ousted the company
from it's lands, illegally seized Its
property and proceeded TO work the
asphalt deposits for its own benefit.
Mr.. Calhoun declares that the right
OF the government OF Venezuela to
this property Is exercised arbitrarily
and that the title thus acquired has
never been submitted 10 any court, or
commission. or adjudicated IN &C
cordance with any law OF Venezuela.
This was done. he declares, In spite
OF the fact that the Venezuelan gov
eminent itself granted the title which
the New York * BeTmudez Co. holds.
He pointed out chat Venezuela ass
sessed the New York Il Bermudez Co.
81 Il, 100000 damages on the ground
that II had failed TO carry out It's
contract and had taken part In the
Matos revolution. This, he says, was
done without hearing the companys
side of the case or any evidence suf-
ficient TO establish the ground upon
which the damages are based. Mr..
Calhoun asserts that there Is no rea-
son in law, justice or common sense
for the imposition OF these damages;
that Il is a. travesty on law and JUS
tice. He says the New York & Ber-
mudez Co. paid cash for the lands
involved. was given It's title by law
and had right TO the exclusive pos
session and operation OF the deposits
for period OF SO years.
Jaurett Claim Small.
The Jaurett claim is small one,
amounting to s25.00o, but II Is the
principle involved which makes II i'm
portant.
JagFett,s- expulsion was ordered on
the ground that he was "notoriouslY
prejudicial to public order" and he
was compelled to leave the country
within "a hours, leaving behind resi-
dence filled with works OF art, inter
ests OF all kinds, his newspaper Office,
funds in banks. etc.
There Is not the slightest doubt In
the minds OF officials OF the state de-
partment that Venezuela has been
guilty OF gross wrong In the case OF
the Orinoco corporation, where con-
tractual rights have suffered violation.
The Orinoco Steamship Co. had
claim for 81, 04f $50 against Venezuela.
which was not allowed by claims
commission, only s2s,224 being award
ed to the company. The company has