The Washington herald., 1908-08-20
By FREDERIC J. RASKIN.

This movement beginning in 1901. was led
by Gen Matos. and was finally crushed
in the spring Of 1873. To the financial sup
port OF Gen Matos the New York and
BermuGez Company contributed, accord
ing 70 its own admission. S145.000- The
company claims that this contribution
was made under duress. and was forci-
bly, levied by Matos- The other side as
severates with great detail that the Ma
tOs revolution was initiated. inspired, and
organized by the New York and Berrnu-
dez Company. and was directed from the
Offices Of that corporation IN New York
The company protests with great
vehemence that the seizure oS its prop
erty was not the result OF the aid it
gave 10 the 8fatos revolution As mat
ter OF fact. the suit under which the
seizure was made was brought IN July
and the case based upon the revolution
was not begun until the following Sep
tember- Il is true however. that the
MaIOs revolution matter was mentioned
in the original demand for S1oG00.000 pre-
selted 10 the company IN June It IS
also true thai this financial support given
70 the 8Iatos revolution is the chief diplo-
matte and legal asset possessed by Presi-
dent Castro il his controversy with the
company
But whatever the fault Of the com
pany. II remains a fact that the seques-
tratlon and operation Of the asphalt
mines by a receiver is based altogether
upon the action Of q Venezuelan court
IN annuIli1g the Hamilton concession
The two other titles possessed BY the
company. especially that acquired IN
der the contract OF ISIS. give the com
pany rights which are being ignored.
The United States government, there
fore. has been insisting for two years
that the whole controversy be sub
mitted 10 international arbitration. The
demand for submission was made with
emphasis IN February Of last. and re-
peated in vain at various times until the
suspension Of al diplomatic relations be
tween The TWO countries IN making this
demand. AIr. Root used the following
language Although this government
(the United States} is certain OF its posi-
ton and declares that the company ithe
New York and BermuGez Company has
been done a great injustice this govern
uent is notwithstanding, willing 20 sub
nit the whole matter on its merits % an
impartial and competent tribunal 10 the
end that the rights OF the company may
be Investigated and its losses established
BY others who are not parties 10 the IJi-
cation"
To this portion Of NIr- Roofs demands
the Venezuelan government replied by de-
claring that il had been forced to take
steps against the asphalt company 10 pro
tect itself against evolutionary acts com
uitted by that company. and designed 70
overthrow the Venezuelan government al
together. And there the matter rests TO
this good day
But the asphalt war goes on II there
IS a report n some newspaper that Presi-
dent Castro has proclaimed himself the
Napoleon OF the West. able 70 lick all the
rest OF the world with one hand tied be
hind him. then up rises some one ready 10
swear that a paid agent Of the asphalt
trust" IS al work cOrruptiaE the public
prints The next day newspaper editors
and correspondents viii receive a printed
press notice" from New York, intended
for publication or editorial comment.
which VIII declare that Castro Is the
wisesr and best ruler ever known IN Ven
ezuela. and that Il is a crying shame THAI
this perfect man should suffer the caIJm-
MES Of the trust" To al OF which the
friends OF the New York and Beruudez
Company VIII make reioinder that Castro
e smart enough 10 know the value of
a good press agent. and that he viii spend
his money freely for printers ink Verify.
there seems 20 be two sides 70 the CUES
ton and a vast amount OF very black
pitch on both sides
lCcp-Tisl-- lss. 1g F-eseric J. E7sEiul