Mr. Russell to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Caracas, November 7,
1898.
No. 207.]
Sir: I have the honor to state that the
American citizen, Felipe Scandella, whose case was reported to the
Department in No. 150, of June 19, has returned to Caracas with another
claim against the Government of Venezuela for mules and oxen taken from
him during the last revolution.
All the negotiations for the settlement of this case were carried on
between this legation and the President, who expressed a desire to
arrange the matter without the official intervention of our Government.
It was agreed to give Scandella 2,000 pesos in cash, and reimburse him
for all property the Government had taken or destroyed. I inclose copies
of four documents bearing on the settlement of this case. Mr. Loomis
sent the communication of July 11 (inclosure No. 1), which was not
answered; on July 12 another communication was sent (inclosure No. 2),
and this was answered from the foreign office (inclosure No. 3). I also
inclose a copy of the communication of Scandella to Mr. Loomis, wherein
the proposition of the President is accepted.
I have had an unofficial interview with the minister of foreign affairs,
and he says the Government was under the impression that the incident
was closed after Mr. Loomis’s letter of July 12 (copy inclosed).
Scandella brought with him from Ciudad Bolivar a number of documents to
prove his losses, but they were not in proper shape, and the foreign
minister, after inspecting the papers, told Scandella to return to
Ciudad Bolivar and get the names of all persons who had entered his
premises and taken his property, and by whose orders. Scandella has been
very persistent and will press this claim. The Government claims to have
abundant proof of Scandella’s interference in politics and his
complicity in the last revolution, but has not produced anything save
the first report in the case, a copy of which was forwarded to the
Department.
I shall wait until the alleged proofs arrive from Ciudad Bolivar, and
forward all the papers for your inspection, and await instructions in
the case.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
207.]
Legation of the United States,
Caracas, July 11, 1898.
His Excellency Juan Calcano
Mathieu,
Minister of Foreign
Affairs.
Sir: I have received a letter from F.
Scandella, the American citizen who was expelled from Ciudad Bolivar
on the 11th of May, 1898, in
[Page 1146]
which he informed me that the Venezuelan
Government proposes to pay him the sum of 2,000 pesos in cash, and
reimburse him in full for all of his property at Ciudad Bolivar
which it has taken or destroyed. Mr. Scandella is also to be given a
safe conduct to Ciudad Bolivar, or some document assuring him
considerate treatment on his arrival there. Mr. Scandella writes me
that he agrees, in consideration of the fulfillment of the terms of
this proposition, to ask me to withdraw his claim against the
Venezuelan Government and to consider the matter settled and the
claim quieted.
Will your excellency kindly inform me at your earliest convenience if
the proposition of the Venezuelan Government has been correctly
stated by Mr. Scandella. If it has been plainly and correctly set
forth the matter may be closed immediately.
I take, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
207.]
Legation of the United States,
Caracas, July 12, 1898.
His Excellency Señor Juan
Calcano Mathieu,
Minister of Foreign
Affairs.
Sir: Mr. F. Scandella, the American citizen
who was summarily arrested at Ciudad Bolivar about the 11th of last
May, writes me that he has entered into an agreement with President
Andrade, of a friendly character, by the terms of which he receives
satisfaction for the treatment to which he was subjected. Mr.
Scandella asks me to withdraw any claim he may have filed in this
legation against the Venezuelan Government by reason of his arrest
and expulsion from the country.
Will you kindly inform me if this matter has been adjusted privately,
in order that I may comply with Mr. Scandella’s request.
I take this opportunity to renew to your excellency, etc.
[Inclosure 3 in No.
207—Translation.]
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
United States of
Venezuela,
Caracas, July 13,
1898.
His Excellency Francis B.
Loomis,
Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States.
Your Excellency: I have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your communication of yesterday.
This ministry has already been informed that the President of the
Republic, as a special act of kindness to Mr. Scandella, has made a
private arrangement with him for terminating the incident which
caused his absence from Ciudad Bolivar and his coming to this city.
I have waited until now to answer your communication in regard to
this matter, and it gives me great pleasure to inform you of the
satisfactory solution of the Scandella affair, the private
arrangement of which puts an end to the discussion which this
ministry has been having with your legation.
Mr. Scandella has been here to ask me to express his thanks to the
President of the Republic.
I renew, etc.,
[Page 1147]
[Inclosure 4 in No.
207.]
Mr. Scandella to
Mr. Loomis.
Sir: I have been informed by Señor J. C.
Mathieu, the minister of foreign affairs, that the Venzuelan
Government, in consideration of the treatment to which I was
subjected at Ciudad Bolivar on the 10th and 11th of May last, when I
was arrested and expelled from the country without due process of
law, and for no just or adequate reason, is disposed to pay me the
sum of $1,600 and reimburse me for all the property of mine which it
took or destroyed.
I am willing to accept these terms, and, if they are at once
fulfilled, will ask you, if they meet your approval, to withdraw my
claim from the files of the legation.
Truly, yours,
Hon. Francis B. Loomis,
United States Minister.
