The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-01
VENEZUELA Is BANKRUPT
INTEREST ON DEBT UNPAID FOR
THIRTY-EIGHT MONTHS.
Government and school Salaries in
Arrears-Spirit of Revolution
Is Growing Rapidly.

COLON. Colombia, Sept. SO.-Advices
from Caracas. dated Sept. %, say the
financial condition of Venezuela is best
exemplihed by the fact that the republic
has not paid interest on it's foreign or in
ternaI indebtedness for the past thirty
eight months. Only two or three importing
houses at Caracas are paying expenses,
business is practically limited TO needed
fOodstuhs, and many import orders have
been cOuntermanded; extreme lack of con-
fdence prevails in business circles, and the
immediate future contains nothing promis-
ing Improvement. The expectation is that
the general financial situation will become
worse before it can improve. The war
rumors have resulted in a noticeable de-
crease of imports and a corresponding de-
crease in the collection of duties. Conse-
quently the government is getting into
more severe straits 10 find money TO meet
the extraordinary expenses incident TO
maintaining the army on the frontier.
Among the people the suffering from the
hard times is greater now than at any
time during the last four years. Many peo-
pie at Caracas are suffering from lack of
food, and the salaries OF all the govern
ment civil employees have been cut half, but
even this is not paid. The effect Of this
shortage Of money is especially noticeable
ut Caracas. The local business has been
dwindling rapidly. Since the reverses at
Guijara the government has been trans
ferring it's attention TO the San Cristobal
country, south of MaracaibO. and sending
arms, men and 10000 rounds of ammuni-
ton from Caracas TO BarquesimetO, where
the interior forces are cOnverging. Bar
quesimeto is a week overland from the
frontier.
The feeling throughout the country
against President Castro is growing
stronger every day. and the feeling on
account of his alleged maladministration
OF public affairs extends TO "A small group
of his faVOrites. who surround him. The
cOuntry's discomfort at General Castro's
dictatorship Is evidenced by many cOmpar-
atively Insignificant signs. but they plainly
foretell a growing revolution. As exam
pies of this condition OF affairs are cited
the recent disappearance from Caracas of
Juan Pietri. who some time ago was said
10 be at the head of a new revolutionary
movement: the actions of certain men who
are known TO be ready To help a revolution
financially: the already numerous and in
creasing number OF political arrests by the
government. and actual, though minor.
revolutionary outbreaks at Cerc and other
places, which the government soon put
down. "A rupture between Colombia and
element the desired opportunity to attack
the government. President Castro recOg-
nizes the discomfort existing throughout
the country at large ana is taking meas
urcS to meet whatever revolutionary ext
gencieS may arise.
The present revolutionary tendency is
not making on party lines. but against the
administration OF the country as dictated
by President Castro. Venezuela. as a
whole, excepting some of the officers and
soldiers on the frontier, who. through con-
tact or recent experience. consider the Co.
l0mbians national enemies. looks upon
President CastrO's ambitions. passions and
alleged extended help TO the COlOmbians as
being responsible for the present Colom-
bis.n trouble. and have no i'll feeling toward
colombia on the alleged ground that CO.
lOmDia invaded Venezuela.
Last week the school teachers of Caracas
were notified that the government must.
for the present. withhold payment of their
salaries. the priests are also unpaid and
the npatients IN Vargas hospital. Caracas.
are supplied with food and medicines Oh
tanned on credit by the Sisters of Charity
IN charge OF the hospital.