New-York tribune., 1901-04-06


icnaire of Venezuela, upon whom Castro had
levied 100000 as the price Of his freedom. Two
others were fine old gentlemen past the age Of
sixty. and Of the highest respectability
AS confinement in the Rotunda did not seem
70 produce the desired results. Castro thought
10 try other measures. This he did by having
three OF the venerable white-haired gentlemen
handcuffed and shacllled together and marched
through the streets Of the city barefooted and
bareheaded. surrounded by a strong armed
guard. Not satisfied with heapirfg this in
dignity upon them. he sent each 10 a stone
cell the dimensions Of which small
to make n impossible for him 10 lie down Not
much as a stool was placed in any Of these
cells to permit them TO rest their weary limbs
After several days Of this sort Of humiliation
the old gentlemen still standing game he
eered them 10 be transported 10 San Carlos
the old Spanish fortress prison Maracaiho
where are confined all the criminal convicts
This almost much for the old gentle
men, they well knew that. once IN San Car
los, with its wet dungeon walls through which
the sea oozes and the vermn which exist there
without molestatiOn. their chances Of surviving
would be small So at the Tleadings Of
their families and friends they surrendered TO
the viii of the Dictator hut not until they had
again paraded the streets in their shackles ana
the railway station where the train was waiting
10 convey them to Maracaibo. Having paid
over the price of their freedom-one $1,000
another S20oe0 and the third S3occo-they re-
gained their liberty.
They were disguised with the political situa-
ton Probably not wishing 10 remain subject
70 another such experience. they applied for
their passports-a certificate which all Venezue-
Ians must have before they are permitted 10
leave the country. Castro. doubtless divining
their purpose refused 70 issue the desired docu-
ments They nevertheless succeeded by the
assistance OF their friends in escaping from the
country in disguise. and eventually arrived at
Trinidad
PERVERSION OF THE LAWS.
In this way Castro succeeded in raising the
funds for running his government until the
revenues Of the war taxes began TO come in.
Such proceedings are worthy only Of the mon
arcbical governments which existed in the period
Of the Spanish Inquisition and il is most difhcut
TO believe that such conduct could exist or De
tolerated for a single moment under repunh-
can form Of government. and especially one in
the Western Hemisphere. which boasts OF It's
freedom and liberty. and its adherence 10 the
precepts of Washington.
That these practices do occur is vouched Tor
by men in responsible positions in New York
%
three old gentlemen mentioned still live 10 tes-
,srv II That indignation may fail where
Il is not deserved II IS proper 10 state here
that neither the people. nor he country. ana
form Of government, are the authors of TINS
drastic policy The people whole are kindly
disposed and generous. Among the better class
or educated portion are people Of the hshest
cultivation and generosity and advancement
hut indirectly they are responsible for their
- -fafr
peace loving nature and their great patience.
on this account they submit 10 great imposi-
lions rather than rebel against what is termed
legal authority.
The laws OF the country are excellent, being
compiled from the best French. Spanish and
English practice and the Venezuelan constitu-
ton is framed out Of the best Of the French and
American constitutions eliminating only those
parts OF each which experience has taught 10 be
undesirable.
These political disturbances and abuses. it
should he repeated. are not by consent Of the
people. but by their meek submission The man
WhO has courage and cunning Such as the pres
ent Dictator possesses is able TO satisfy his own
greed and ambition for a time-a time only-at
the expense Of his country and his people.
With so many honorable and intelligent men
in Venezuela perfectly able. capable and worthy
OF administering the government in accordance
with excellent constitution. and leading il
prosperity and happiness. II Is surprising
that they must perforce submit 10 the arbitrary
and rulnODS rule or a man VINO mas no FIufd-
ton no experience. no patriotism. and who has
but one object-to enrich himself AT the expense
OF his fellow men. his country, its credit and its
pride.
OTHER EXAMPLES OF TYRANNY.
To cite another instance of Castro's system Of
nlisgovernnent. a young professional was
one day last October soon after the earthquake
strolling along the principal street Of Caracas
when suddenly TWO tapped him the
shoulder. saying: You will have 10 go with US
10 the Rotunda.'
why" demanded the young man.
orders was the only answer.
In describing his Incarceration 10 the gentle
man giving his information to the writer the
young said: i was made 10 sit down at
the top Of stone incline, then ] given a
shove that shot down into large
cell into which twenty others had been showed
before me- Some OF the prisoners here. in this
Black Hole Of Caracas. were my friends. men
of standing in the city. They greeted me- with:
What you here too? What for? / told them
discovered that half Of the men in that under
ground a unconscious OF crime !
The place cold and damp. I had no blanket.
nothing but he clothes stood in. After three
days Of suffering my friends in the city found
out where / was and sent a blanket and
some changes of clothing They also smuggled
in a note informing me that l arrested be-
u being suspected II receiving and trans
nitting revolutionary correspondence. AT the
end u week Castro must have discovered that
] had nothing do with the suspected corre-
spondenoe, for early in the morning the Chief
Of Police called and told me / free. He
then drove me around the city in his carriage
20 show the people, he explained that
innocent man"
This drive with the Chief OF Police. after a