New-York tribune., 1901-10-07
CAS7RO'S WEAK SUPPORT.
REASONS WHY WAR WITH COLOMBIA
MAY NOT BE DECLARED.

Willemstad. Island of Curacao, Oct 5-To-day
a representative of The Associated Press inter
viewed DR.. Alexandra Urbaneja. president of the
executive committee of the Venezuelan Nation
alist Revolutionary party, regarding the po-
ltical situation. DR.. Urbaneia is the virtual
leader of the party and the personal representa-
tive Of "El Mocho,'' General Hernandez. He
Cabinet Minister under former President
Crespo, and is prominent lawyer. To-day he
is in exile in CURACAO DIR. Urbaneja said:
The Nationalists until the present time have
passively witnessed President Castros attitude
and actions toward Colombia, but they now
compelled to protest against them. Neither the
Nationalists nor the country at large has ever
sustained the actions of Castro. actions which
promise international war. The Nation
alists do not desire war with a sister republic
nor would they follow Castro in such war.
If Colombia had ever really offended Venez-
uela there would be necessity for CaStro'S
forcible recruiting as at present in order to OBJ
tain an army to punish the offending country
In such event all Venezuelans would loyalty
and enthusiastically join to punish the offender
I do not think President Castro Will declare
war against Colombia. In the first place. TO do
so legally he must obtain the consent of the
Venezuelan Congress, which VIII not convene
before February next. In the second place,
do not believe the members of the Venezuelan
Congress. although they are all partisans of
President Castro. would ever consent to a ruin
with Colombia in order to help Colom-
bian revoutionists-
Neither do | believe In the possibility Of the
reconstruction of greater Colombia by force OF
arms. Bolivar's achievement was effected under
certain special conditions that do not exist to-
days Perhaps a greater Colombia is possible
through peaceful. intellectual operations. but
never by military force. All the talk now in
dulged in this subject is a mere preteNt. a
blind TO cover the personal ambitions OF few
President Castro recently ordered the impris-
onr11ent of all Nationalists In Venezuela This
conyinces me that he does not intend TO de-
clare war against Colombia because, after elm
mating the Nationalists there would be COM
paratively few Venezuelans left who could be
counted upon supply the men and money
needed to wage hostities against Colombia
Ny principal reason for not beleVlng a
declaration of war will be made lies in Presi-
dent Castro's attitude toward the Internal po-
litical situation If he intended TO declare war
he would attempt to unite all Nenezuelans or
all political creeds in solid front against Co
lonnba Quite the contrary is the case. lie Is
persecutfng the numerous Nationalists. and the
latter will before long lose patience, turn on
their tormentor actively and in arms. and de-
clare against him in retaliation. In the improp-
able event of his declaring war against Colom-
bia President Castro would receive only the
support of few of the most extreme OF his
partjsans The others would desert him.
Concerning "El Mocho' who is prisoner at
San Carlos ] can say that Notwithstanding ms
continuous solitary confinement in dark ana
unventilated cell, Notwithstanding the Chains
on his arms and legs. the lack OF exercise ana
the Wretched food, his health is enduring the
strain.