Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1901-04-06
DRIVE OUT ALL FOREIGNERS
AND SELL ~HEIR PROPERTY AND
CONCESSIONS TO WHOEVER
WOULD BUY.
STORY OF THE ASPHALT WAR
Castro Stole the Government From the
Rightful Offcer-Formidable
Revolution Coming.

New York, April 6.-The Tribune this
morning contains long article purport-
ing to give clear account Of the circum-
stances responsible for the strained rela-
tiOns between the United States and
Venezuela. 1t comes from writer in
New York not connected with the paper
and in order that it might be fairly
criticized and corrected, printed proofs
of it were submitted to the Venezuelan
legation in Washington and to the Ven
ezuelan consulate in this city. The ar
ticle begins by saying that the recall
Of United States Minister Loomis from
Venezuela has released much informa-
tion concerning the methods Of the Ven
ezuelan government headed by President
Castro. New York business men who
own commercial interests in Venezuela
and who are kept in formed by their rep
resentatives in Caracas of the state of
affairs, have within the last few days
given to the writer facts long withheld.
From these merchants it is learned
that Castro is revising the constitution
to suit his revolutionary policy. He
called 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-
Stltutlon 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 hvae learned to subjugate their will
to his.
Castro has been dictator ever since he
drove President Andrade by force of
arms from Venezuela's executive man.
sion. Is months ago. He has yet to serve
thte remaining year of Andrade's term.
which does not expire until February 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 Curacao, which is chosen as
the starting point of his expedition
In Venezuela there is no such thing as
capital punishment. Penalties stop at
imprisonment for ten years. But Gen.
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.
correspondent for weekly news
paper who recently returned from Ven.
ezuela. tells how Acosta was captured
and in spite of the law against the form
of punishment, was shot. by Castro's or
der. on February 10. In Venezuela now,
1t 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 qeustion the orders of Castro.
In January two justices of the Supreme
NH1rt q 10
down decision that accorded with Cas-
tro's notion of justice. There Judges
We're thrown into cell. and keps there
until they agreed to think with Castro.
In the first month of his presidency,
Castro called to his presence number of
wealthy residents, merchants and bank
ers and informed them that they must
contribute to the support Of the gov
eminent. According 10 his own estimate
of the amount of their fortunes, he fixed
the sum which each should pay into the
treasury at once. The amounts ranged
from $4,000 to $50, 900. A few objected and
straightway found themselves conveyed
to the rOtunda, the worst prison in Cara
cas-. subsequently Castro had three o fthe
gentlemen handcuffed and shackled to-
gether and marched through the streets
of the city barefooted and bareheaded.
surrounded by strong armed guard.
Then he sent each to stone cell, the
dimensians of which We're so small as 70
make it impossible for the occupant to lie
down. After several days he ordered
them to be transported to San Carlos. the
old Spanish fortress prison at Maracai-
bo. where are confined all The criminal
convicts.
At the pleadings of their families and
friends, they surrendered, but not until
they had again pal AIDED the streets in
shackles and bare feet and with uncover
ed heads. Having paid over the price
their freedom-one $4,000, another $4,000
and the third ssO0O0-they regained their
liberty. They subsequently, escaped from
the country in disguise and arrived at
Trididad.
Within three weeks Castro raised the
fund for conducting the government un-
til the revenues could meet the expendi-
lures. Other methods of raising money
was charging men with cOnspiring
against the government aid confiscating
their property.
Not long ago German merchant ar
rived at Barcelona from Caracas 70 coi-
lect moneys due on various enterprises in
which he was interested. He collected in
all $4,000. Castro heard of this and gave
orders that the money must not be TAX
en- out of the country and that the collec.