New-York tribune., 1901-04-06
VENEZUELA DESP0ILED.
THE CASTRO GOVERNMENT
AN ABSOLUTE MONARCHY.
THE DICTATOR MTTLCTS CITIZENS AMI
FOREIGNERS ALIKE, IMPRISONS AT
HIS PLEASURE AND ANNULS
CONCESSIONS ARBITRARILY

/ iy well known in New-York. not connected
with The Tribune. For the purpose of verify
Ing this story and giving all concerned "a
fatr opportunity to make whatever criti-
cfsms corrections they desired. printed
| proofs We're submitted the Venezuelan
| legation in Washington, the Venezuelan
Consulate in this city
The fact that Frank L. Loomis United States
| Minister 20 Venezuela. has been called to Wash
| ington has released an avalanche OF inforna-
| ton concerning the methods Of the Venezuelan
| government headed by Castro. the Dictator.
| New-Yorll business men who own large COM
| mercial interests in Venezuela. and who are
| kept informed by their representatives in Ca
| racas of the state of affairs in our ever turbu-
| lent sister republic, have within the last few
| days given TO the writer facts long withheld.
| From these merchants it is learned that the
Dictator. Cipriano Castro. is revising the consti-
tuition to suit his revolutionary policy. He called
his Congress together February 90 a Congress-
| whose members are all of Castro's choosing
The first act Of his minions thus assembled
was to pass. according TO his orders. an amend
ment to the constitution extending the term OF
| office of the President from four years to six
| This was done without any pretension OF con-
| sulttng the choice of the people. During the
| first week in March he appointed as members
! OF his Cabinet seven men who have learned
that it is best 70 subjugate their will to that OF
the Dictator.
Castro has been Dictator ever since he drove
President Andrade by force of arms from tha
Yellow House. Venezuela's Executive Mansion.
eighteen months ago As the seIf-appointed
constitutional President he has yet to serve ths
remaining year of Andrade's term which does
not expire till February 20, 1902. Then, accord
ing to his revision Of the constitution he will
enjoy six years more in Office. making eight and
one-half years altogether. The reason for his
desire remain chief executive as long as pos-l
sble will appear later.
Meanwhile. the real President of Venezuela is
Andrade. The day the revolutionary forces.
under General Castro. fought their way into
Caracas at one end. Andrade left the city at the
other end and boarded a gunboat which carried
him TO Barbados. With degree Of finesse pos
sessed only by politicians Of South American
republics he sent the gunboat back to Castro.
with his compliments. and with a note saying;
that his distinguished successor in office might
need II. Andrade is to-day in the island of
Curacao. which he has chosen as the start
ing point of the proposed expedition. and where
he is now preparing. IN a practicaI material
way, for action. If he succeeds in landing in
Venezuela. interesting developments in the situ-
alton there may be expected: for it is stated
that the soldiers of the Venezuelan army TO a
man. love Andrade. they fear and hate Cas-
tro. 1t will be a case parallel. though on a
smaller scale with Napoleon's return from EIba.
NOW AN ABSOLUTE MONARCHY.
In the interim Castro reigns. and Venezuela
the knowing ones say. is in every practical
sense an absolute monarchy. II is a republic
only in name. movement Of Castros little
finger. the lifting Of his eyelid. his word-this
Is the law in Venezuela.
1t is said that Castro's power. sef-assumed. Is
hardly exceeded by the power possessed by the
Gar. The taking of human life is the
only Czarlike prerogative which the Die
tetor has not taken to himself. In Venez-
ueIa there is no such thing as capital pun
shment. Crimes penalties stop at imprison-
rlent for ten years. in the case OF man,
however, Castro said. There shall be capital
punishment" and there The was
shot. General Acosta. revolutionary leader.
friend of Andrade and enemy OF Castro. was the
victim. He had dared to take up arms against
the Dictator. He was the head OF the revolu-
tionary party in the field. Castro declared: IF
ever | capture Acosta I will shoot him" A
correspondent for weekly newspaper. who re-
Gently returned from Venezuela, tells how
Acosta captured, and in spite of the law
against this form of punishment. was shot. by
Castros order. February 10 last. Acosta
was the first revolutionary leader-and in Venez-
uela such leaders are Iegion-to suffer punish
ment by death.
All Venezuela, 1t is asserted is in the grip os
the mailed and merciess hand Of the Dictator.
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 the Die
tator. The merest gIfmner Of suspicion with
regard TO an official leads to his instant removal.
followed very often with Incarceration In
January last two justices of the Supreme Court
failed in a certain case 10 hand down decision
that accorded with the Dictator's notion OF JUS
tice. These judges were thrown into dungeon
cell. and kept there until they agreed to think
with CastrO's mind
In dealing with those who come in personal
contact with him. one who knows him well de-
clares that he gives little heed 10 words. but
usually watches the speakers eyes and the ex-
preston of his face. If he doubts the mans sin
cerity questions his loyalty. thinks he is play
ing game believes he is double dealing. away
with him TO the Rotunda. the viIest prison in
Caracas.
EXTORTION PRACTISED-
In the first month of his dictatorship Castro
called to his presence number of wealthy rep
resentative merchants and bankers. and in
formed them that they must contribute TO the
support of his government. According to his
own estimate of the amount of their fortunes. he
fixed the sum which each shPuld pay into his
treasury at once. The amounts ranged from
$4,000 TO 100000
According the statement OF one who per-
scnaly knew all the victims. most of them sub
mitted forthwith. believing discretion 10 be the
better part of valor; but few of them objected.
thereby proving their lack of diplomacy. For
these refractory ones only quilted the presence
of the Dictator to learn that they were prisoners.