Diplomatist; born in
Marietta, O., July 27, 1861; graduated at Marietta College in 1883; entered journalism on the New York
Tribune; was State librarian of
Ohio in 1886-90; United States consul at Etienne,
France, in 1890-93; and editor-in-chief of the
Cincinnati Daily Tribune in 1893-97.
In the latter year he was appointed
United States minister to
Venezuela, where he negotiated an extradition treaty, and arranged for reciprocity and parcels-post conventions.
His persistency in demanding the payment of various large sums due to American citizens prior to payments due other foreigners, according to a pledge by
President Castro, led to strained relations between the
United States and
Venezuela in 1901.
For several months his residence at
Caracas was rendered exceedingly unpleasant by newspaper and other attacks upon him. The United States government sustained
Mr. Loomis in his official actions, and, on March 30, recalled him to
Washington, ostensibly to give the State Department a clearer view of the unfriendly issues that had been raised between the two governments.
