The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-04-07
Rules as Dictator in SO.called
Republic OF Venezuela.
CURSES ALL FOREIGNERS
Laws and Decisions Of csurls Made iu lc.
eOrdanee With His Instructions
Constitution Amended at His
Dietailoa.

NEW YORK. April 6,-rhe Tribune
this morning contains long article
purporting to give a clear account Of
the circumstances responsible for the
strained relations between the United
States and Venezuela 1t comes from a
writer in New York not connected with
the paper ana in order that 1t might be
fairly criticised or corrected printed
proofs or It We're submitted e. the
Venezuelan legation in Washington and
20 the Venezuelan consul in this city.
The article began by saying that the
recall OF United States Minister Lcomis
from Venezuela has released much in
formation concerning the methods Of
the Venezuelan government headed by
President Castro New York business
men who own large concessions in Ven
ezuea and who are kept informed by
their representatives in Caracas of the
state Of affairs have within the las,
few days given to the writer the facts
long withheld.
From these merchants IL is learned
that Castro is revising the constitution
TO suit his revolutionary policy. He
called a congress together February 20,
whose members are all Of his choosing.
Their first act was to pass. according
to his orders. an amendment TO the con-
stitution extending the term OF office
Of the president from four years to
six. This was done without any pre-
tension Of consulting the choice OF the
people, During the first week in March
he appointed as members Of his cabinet
seven men who have learned to subju-
gate their will to his.
Castro has been dictator ever since
he drove President Andrade by force of
arms from VeneSuela's executive man
sion. eighteen months ago He / bs yet
10 serve the remaining year Of An
drade's term. which does not expire un-
til February 20. 1902. Then. according
to his revision Of the constitution, he
will enjoy six years more in office max
Ing eight and one=half years altogether.
Meanwhile the real president of Vene-
Euela is Andrade. who is today On the
island OF Curacao. which he has chosen
as the starting point of proposed ex-
pedition.
as capital punishment. Crimes penal
ties stop at imprisonment for ten years
But General Acosta friend Of Andrade
and an enemy OF Castro, who had dared
to take UP arms against Castro and
was the head of the revolutionary Iarty
in the field, was put to death. A cor
respondent for a weeHly.newspaper who
recently "etIrned rom Venezuela tells
how Acosta was captured and in spite
OF the law against that form Of pun
ishment was shot by Castro's order on
February 10
In Venezuela now, il is asserted, gov
ernment dignitaries. the Justices Of the
courts, local officials in The various
cities and states retain their places as
long only as they obey without question
the orders of Castro In January two
justices Of the supreme court failed in
a certain case to hand down decision
that accorded with Castro's notion Of
justice. These justices were thrown in
TO cell and kept there until they
agreed to think with Castro
In the first month Of MS presidency
Castro called 10 his presence a number
of wealthy representative merchants and
bankers and informed them that they
must contribute to the gupport cf ,he
government. According to his own es-
innate OF the amount Of their fortunes,
he fixed the sum each should pay into
the treasury at once The amounts
ranged from $4,000 TO $4,000 A few
objected and straightway found them
selves conveyed to the Rotunda, the
worst prison in Caracas. Subsequently
Castro had three of the gentlemen hand