The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-10-07
HaATIONALIST SIDE.
Leader Of The Party Venezuela Does
Not Anticipate War with Colombia.
CASTRO CAN'T LEGALLY DECLARE WAR
Must First Obtain the Consent OF the
Venezuelan Congress, Which Does
Not Convene Until February.

Wllemstad, Island OF Curacoa Saturday.
October 5.-Today a representative Of the
Associated Press interviewed Dr. Alex.
andre Urbaneja Of the executive committee
OF the Venezuelan nationalist revolutionary
party regarding the political situation. nr.
Urbaneja Is the virtual leader Of the party
and the personal representative OF III Mo
cho, General Hernandez. He was cab
met minister under former President Crcs-
pc and Is prominent lawyer Today he
IL In exile In Curacoa
"1he natlonallsts until the present time, ="
said Or. Urbaneja, "have passiyey Wit
messed President Castros attitude and ac-
tions toward Colombia, but they are now
compelled to protest against them.
Neither the natlonnlsts nor the country
at large have ever sustained the actions
OF Castro, actions which now promise an
international war. The nationalsts do not
desire war with sister republic, nor would
they follow Castro In such war. on the
contrary, they, as well as the country at
large would refuse to participate.
III Colombia had really offended Yene-
zucla there would be no necessity for Cas-
tro's forclble recruiting as at present, in
order to obtain an army to punish the Of.
Tending country. In such an event all
Venezuelans would Loyalty and enthuslas-
tlcally join to punish the offender | do
not think President Castro will declare war
against Colombia. In the first place, to
do so legally he must obtain the consent
Of the Venezuelan congress, which will not
convene before February next. In the see
ond place. | do not believe the members
OF the Venezuelan congress, who are mem
bers of all parties. would consent to a
ruinous war with Colombia In order TO help
Colombian revolutionlsts.
Neither do believe In the possibility OF
the reconstructlon OF Gran Colombia by
force Of arms. Boliyar's achievement was
effected under certain special conditions
that do not exist today Perhaps Gran
Colombia Is possible through peaceful, In
teileetuai PpeeEati9.nsS but meyer BY military
this subject ise9 mere pretext, a blind 10
cover the personal ambition OF few men.
President Castro recently ordered the i'm
prlsOnment OF all nntlonallsts In Venezuela.
TO declare war against Colombia, because
after eliminating the natlonallsts, there
would be comparatively few Nenezuelans
left who could be counted upon 10 supply
the men needed TO wage hostllities against
Colombia.
Ny principal reason for not believing a
declaration OF war will be made lies In
President Castros attitude toward the in
ternHl political situation. II he intended
to declare war he would attempt to unite
all Venezuelnns of nil political creeds In a
contrary Is the case He is prosecuting the
numerous natioualties and tho latter will
before long lose patience, turn on their
tormentor actively and In arms and declare
against him in retaliation.
Concerning III MoCho who Is prisoner
NJ Snn Carlos, | can say that notwithstand-
ing his continuous solitary confinement In
dark and uuventllate cell; notwlthstand-
ing the chaius on his arms and legs. the
lack Of exercise and the wretched food, his
health Is enduring the severe strain"