The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-04-06
LIGHT TURNED ON
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.

morning contains a long article purport-
ing to give a clear account of the cir
cumstances responsible for the strained
/ relations between the United States and
Venezuela It comes from writer in
New York not connected with the paper
and in order that it might be fairly
criticised or corrected, printed proofs of
it were submitted to the Venezuelan
legation in Washington and to the Ven
ezuelan consulate in the city. The article
begins by saying that the recall Of
United States Minister Loomis from
Venezuela has released much informa-
tion 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
ed by their representatives 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 call
ed a congress together February 20,
whose members are all of his choosing.
Their first act was to pass, according
to MS orders, an amendment to the con-
Stttutlon 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 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, 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 Curacao, which he has chosen
as the starting point of proposed e1-
pedition.
In Venezuela there is no such thing
as capital punishment Crimes penalties
stop at Imprisonment for ten years But
General Acosta, friend of Andrade and
eneIny 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 weekly newspa-
per who recently returned from Vene-
zuela 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 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
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
I'd through the city barefooted and bare
headed, surrounded by a strong armed
guard. Then he 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
shacHles 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 $50 0000-they Te-
gained their liberty They subsequently |
escaped from the country in disguise and
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 German merchant ar |
rived at Barcelona from Caracas to COT |
lect moneys due on various enterprises |
in which he was interested. He collect
ed in all $4,000 Castro heard of this I
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- /
ct with orders to run him through if he |
attempted to escape. After seven hours
Of suffering he announced that he would I
give $4,000 if they would release him |
This was not enough. The whole $4,000 |
or nothing. In the ninth hour Of his tor /
lure he yielded, took the soldiers to the I
place where he had concealed the money |
and surrendered it. He sailed on the |
next steamer leaving Caracas.
A month later German cruiser en-
tered LaGuayra. The captain and. p !
sailors pulled ashore and then rode to |
Caracas They at once entered Castro's |
presence and peremptorily demanded not !
only every penny of the $12,0 900, but the |
punishment of the official who had sup |
erintended the torture. Without 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 saids when once General