The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-04-06
Trouble Between Venezuela and
q. S. Explained.
High Handed Methods of Castro
at Bottom of It.
REVISED ORGANIC LAW
So as to Perpetuate Himself in
the Presidency.
Surrounded Himself With Men
Ready to Aid Him.

@~OA@AJ ~ &AAN~ AAAAAA@
New York, April 6-The Tribune this
morning contains a long article purport-
ing to give clear account of the cir
cumstances responsible for the strained
relations between the United States and
Venezuela. It comes from q writer IN
New York not connected with the paper
and in order that It might be fairly
criticised or corrected, printed proofs of
it We're submitted to the Venezuelan
legation in Washington and to the Ven
ezuelan consulate in the city. The article
begins by saying that the recall or
United States Minister Loomis from
Venezuela has released much informa-
ton concerning the methods of the
Venezuelan government headed by
President Castro. New York business
men who own large commercial interests
in Venezuela and who are kept inform
of the state Of affairs have within the
last few days given to the writer facts
long withheld
From these merchants 1t is learned
that Castro is revising the constitution
to suit his revolutionary policy. He call
ed 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 pretension OF
consulting the choice OF the people. Dur
ing the first week in March he appointed
as members of his cabinet seven men
who have learned to subjuaate their Will
to his.
Castro has been dictator ever since he
drove President Andrade by force of
arms from Venezuesa's executive man
sion. 18 months ago. He has yet to
serve the remaining year of Andrade'S
term. which does not expire until Feb
ruary 20, 1902 Then, according to his
revision of the constitution, he will enjoy
six years more in office, making eight
and one half years altogether
Meanwhile the real president of Ven
ezuela is Andrade, who is today in the
island OF Curacoa,5 which he has chosen
as the starting posnt of a proposed ex-
In Venezuela there is no such thing
as capital punishment Grimes penalties
stop at Imprisonment for ten years But
General Acosta, friend of Andrade and
enemy of Castro, who had dared to take
up arms against Castro, and was the
head of the revolutionary party in the
field, was put to death. :,
A correspondent for a weekly newspa-
per who recently returned from Vene-
zue1a tells how AcoSta was captured and
in spite of the law against the form of
punishment was shot by Castro's order
on February 19. In Venezuela now, it
is asserted government 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 Feb
ruary two justices of the supreme court
failed in a certain case to hand down a.
decision that accorded with CaStro'S.
notion of Justice These judges were
thrown into a cell and kept there until
they agreed to think with Castro.
In the first month of his presidency,
Castro called to his presence a number
of wealthy representative merchants and
bankers, and informed them that they
must contribute to the support of the
government. According to his own es-
innate of the amount Of their fortunes,
he fixed the sum which each should pay
into the treasury at once. The amounts
rod A flx
objected and straightway found them
selves conveyed to the ROtunda, the
worst prison in Caracas. Subsequently
Castro had three Of the gentlemen hand
cuffed and shackled together and march
d through the city barefooted and bare
headed, surrounded by a strong armed
guard Then hes sent each to a stone
cell the dimensions of which were SO
small as to make it impossible, for him
to lie down. After several days he or
dered him to be transported to San Car
los, the old Spanish fortress prison at
Maracaibo, where are confined all the
criminal convicts-
At the pleadings of their families ard
friends they surrendered, but not until
they had again paraded the streets in
shackles and bare feet and with uncov
cred heads. Having paid over the price
of their freedOm-one $4,000, another
$50, 900, and the third 30,000-they re-
gained their liberty. They subsequently
escaped from the country in disguise ard
arrived at Trinidad. In this way Castro
raised the funds for conducting the gov
ernment until the revenues of the war
taxes began to come in.
Another method for raising money is
charging business men with '.conspiring
against the government" and confiscat-
ing their property.
Not long ago a German merchant ar
rived at Barcelona from Caracas to co..
lect moneys due on various enterprises
in which he was interested. He collect
ed in all $4,000. Castro heard of this
and gave orders that the money must
not be taken out of the country, and
that the collector must leave the cash
with the government. The man was
seized and placed on a stool in a prison
lard where the hot rays of the sun beat
upon his bare head and a soldier stood
on each side of him with fixed bayon-
attempted to escape. After seven hours
Of suffering he announced that he would
give $4,000 if they would release him.
This was not enough. The whole 1000
lure ne yielded, took the soldiers to the
place where he had concealed the money
| and surrendered it He sailed on the
next steamer leaving Caracas.
A month later a German cruiser en-
tered LaGuayra The captain and y
sailors pulled ashore and then rode to
/ Caracas. They at once entered Castro's
presence and peremptorily demanded not
only every penny of the 81, 600, but the
| punishment of the official who had sup
erintended the torture. Without a word
| Castro paid the money and ordered the
official, who had only carried out the
presidents orders, cast into the Rotun-
da-
Curse all foreigners" Castro IS re-
ported to have said when once General
gested that foreign money and imnigra-