The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1908-05-01
CASE AGAINST CASTRO |
Asphalt Company Claims to Be
Victim of a Deliberate Plot
to Seize Its Property.

dent Castro was an active participant,
the New York and Bermudez company
has made public its side of the "Vene-
zuela controversy owe: the Bermudez
asphalt property. This step was coinci-
dent with the communication to con-
gress of the state department CORE
spondence and papers in regard to the
asphalt company and other claims
against Venezuela. That the company 8
troubles arose from the aid given by 1t
TO the Matos revoutionists is emphatic
ally denied.
1.-THE impression widely prevails in
the United States and has been sedu-
lousy propa gated by Venezuelan agents
through the public press that the CON-
panys property was seized on account
of the company's alleged participation
in a revolution. This Impression is ut
terly unfounded," the statement as
serts. ''In the suit in which the COM
pany's property was seized no mention
is made of revolution The revolution
airy suit was brought subsequently and
had no legal connection with tie sell
zure of the property. though 1t was no
doubt designed to divert attention from
the wrongs done to the company and II
possible to preclude diplomatic inter-
ference with the scheme of spol1ation.
so Gave Aid Under Duress.
seThe region in which the company's
asphalt lake is situated was constantly
swept by revolutionary bands. to whom
the company was often forced in self
defense to supply food in small guam
titles and sometimes to do other small
services.
"When General Matos asked the COM
pany for money he had arranged for
the uniting of all the parties and forces
opposed to General Castro. The COM
pany was thus confronted with for
midable revolutionary movement which
would, for time at least. control its
property and which would be friendly
or hostile according to the company's
action on General Matos' request.
"The company, standing between two
fires and in view of the attempts to
despoil it and the larger pecuniary de-
mands made at Caracas. paid to Cen
eral Matos certain sums of money.
this payment being made for the pro-
lection of its property during the con-
tinuance of the revolution and for the
protection of its just rights thereafter
in case the revolution succeeded and
without any understanding or obliga'
ton with respect to it's use"
The $4,000, 600 "Fine" Followed by
Seizure.
Taking up events in the order they
occurred after Castro came into power.
the statement says:
"The conspiracy to despoil the COM
pany of its asphalt deposit had COW
cred a period of nearly seven years,
when President Castro. more determin-
ed and audacious than any of those
who had preceded him in the plot.
caused the property to be forcibly
seized under cover of pretended ju-
dicial proceeding. summary and with
out notice or opportunity to be heard.
ION June 8, 1904. the New York and
Bermudez company received infOrma-
ton that the Venezuelan government
had demanded of it the payment of the
sum of 10000, 900 bolivars or else the
payment OF 10,0O0G00 bolivars and the
surrender CT its property as the AFTER
native of being sued for the annul.
ment of the Hamilton concession as
well as for damag es for failure to per-
form its obligations and for aid to the,
Nfatos revolution. On June the COM
pany cabled its refusal to comply with
this demand. As2s E,
"In July. 1904, the Venezuelan gov
eminent instituted In its new federal
and cessation court q suit for the an
oulment of the twenty five year con-
cession on account of an alleged fall
ure to comply with certain terms re-
lating to the development of natural
resources other than asphalt and to
the canaizing or dredging of certain
rivers. The government also asked for
thG sequestration of the property own
ed by the company.
Hostile Receiver Appointed.
"No notice of the filing of the petit
ton for annul1nent or of the request
Tor sequestration was given to the com
pany prior to the issuance of the,
.ourts decree thereon and the appoint
pent of the receiver. At secret ses-
sion of the court held to act upon the
petition of the Venezuelan government
Ambrose H. Garner, the former EN-
lloyee of the New York and Bermudez
but now business rival and
one of the principal agents in the con
spiracy to seize the company's proper
ty. was appointed receiver
"Mr. Garner was Immediately taken
to the asphalt deposit at Cuanoco. on d
Venezuelan gunboat. He seized the
property by military force. appropriate
ed money. records and other articles
belonging to the company and caused
or permitted employees Of the COM
pany to be maltreated by soldiers un-
der his command These acts of spolia-
ton took place on July %. 1904, since
which time Mr. Garner has continued
In possession of the asphalt deposit
and has shipped $4,000 tons of asphalt
to his associates. Amzi L. Barber and
others. in New York. who have been
constantly engaged in marketing it. So
far as possible In this country and in
Europe, IL this way using the product
Of the property of the New York and
Bermudez company to destroy the Gem.
pany's business