Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-04-06
CASTRO As DICTATOR
Details Of Alleged 0utraees on
the Part Of Venezuelan
President.
II is Claimed That Castro is
Guilty Of Illegal and Inhu-
man Actions.
His Rule Like That Of the Worst
Despot.-Loonis Arrival
Awaited.

awaited.
New York, April. s-The Tribune to-
day contains a long article purporting to
give clear account Of the circumstances
responsible for the strained relations
between the United States and Nenez-
uela. 1t comes from a writer in New
York not connected with the paper. and
in order that it might be fairly criti-
cised or corrected, the printed proofs of
1t were submitted TO the Venezuelan
legation in Washington and to the Ven
ezulean consulate in this city. The arr
ticle begins by saying that the recall
Of United States Minister Loomis from
Nenezula released much information
concerning the methods of the yenezu-
ella government headed by president
Castro. New York business men who
own large commercial interests in Ven
ezuela and who are kept informed by
their Representatives in Caracus 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
tc suit his revolutionary policy. He
called congres 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
Years. 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
eeven men who have learned to subJu-
gate their will to his
Castro has been dictator ever since
lie drove president Andrade by force of
arms from Venezuela's executive man
sion. eighteen months ago. He has yet
TO serve a remaining year of Andrades S
term. which does not expire until Feb
lnary 20. 1902. Then, according to his
revision of the constitution he will en-
joy six years more in office. In the
meanwhile. the real president of Ven
ezuela is Andrade. who today is in the
island of Curacao, which ne has chosen
us the starting point of his proposed
expedition.
In Venezuela there is no such thing as
capital punishment. Crime penalties
stop at Imprisonment for ten years. but
General Acosta, a friend of Andrade
and an enemy of Castro who had dared
to take up arms aginst Castro and was
read OF the revolutionary party in the
field, was put to death, being shot by
Castro's order February 10. In yenez-
ula now 1t is asserted that government
dignitaries, justices of the courts and
local officials in the various cities and
ctatss retain their places as long only
as they obey. without question, the
orders of Castro. In January two jus
tees OF the supreme court failed IN a
certain case TO hand down the decision
that accorded With Castro's notion of
3utsice. These judges were thrown into
cell and kept there until they agreed
TO think with Castro.
In the hrst month of his presidency
Castro called to his presence number
OF wealthy representative merchants
and bankers and informed them that
they must contribute to the support of
the government according to his own
estimate OF the amount of their for
tunes He fxed the sum which each
should pay into the treasury at once.
The amounts ranged from $4,000 to $780,
coo. A few objected and straightway
found themselves conveyed to the Ro-
tunda, the worst prison in Caracas. and
only released upon the payment of the
amounts demanded. In this way Castro.
raised funds for conducting the gov
ernment unit the revenue war taxes be-
gan to come in.
Another method for raising money is
charging business men with "conspir-
ing against the government" and con-
fIscating their property.
Not long ago a German merchant ar
rived at Barcelona from Caracas TO coll
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, but
must be turned over to he government
The man was seized and placed on a
stool m the prison yard, where the hot
rays OF the gun beat upon his bare head,
and a soldier stood on each side of him
with fixed bayonet with orders to run
him thru If he attempted to escape.
After nine hours OF suffering the Ger
man yielded. took the soldiers to the.
place where he had concealed the mon
ey and surrendered It, He sailed on the
next steamer leaving Caracas.
"A month later German cruiser. en-
tered Laguayra. The captain and
twelve sailors pulled ashore and rode to
Caracas. They at once entered Castro's
presence and peremptorily demanded
not only every penny of the $4,000 but
punishment of the officials who had su-
perintended the torture. Without
word Castro paid the money and or
dered the official who had only carried
out his own orders cast into the rotun-
doc. Curse all foreigners" Castro is
reported to have said. when once Gen.
Ayaly. minister of industry, suggested
that foreign money and immigration
should be encouraged to develop vene-
zuela's resources. "I'll annul every con-
cession held by foreigners in this coun-
try and sell the concessions over again"
In December he annulled all conces-
sions Of the various Ortnoco concerns,
all American corporations with head
quarters In New York. The reason he !
gave for this procedure was that the
companies had not carried out the con-
dttions named In their contracts
PREVIOUS 20 this hs had annulled the
|:Is'E llHl sls 1855