New-York tribune., 1902-12-15


of them. They won battle AFTER battle When the
news reached Andrade al Caracas. that the 1nSur-
gent army was approaching he Hed 10 La Iua!rd
there boarded gunboat and was taken 20 Curacao
Castro then entered the capital ana declared MN
self Provisional President
Physically President Castro is not sc big man
as reports and pictures would make MIN appear
He is five feet two inches tall, but well nult
His shoulders deep and broad, ana ne "dlhs
with long, military stride
In Caracas General Castro is regarded as well
dressed man. but in NewYork his clothes would
be pronounced too loud" He generally wears
suits of extremely light cloth. with long coat
and the wide baggy, snapeless trousers generall!
worn in South America President Castro's photo
graphs do him injustice, for he has strong
face every line OF which tells of his determination
and force. His head is round and broad he mas
thin well shaped nose, and through his beard one
can see q square chin His eyes perhaps his
strongest feature They are dark brown. OF great
brightness, and piercing. Ever since his assump-
ton of power in Venezuela President Castro mas
been perhaps the most interesting and prominent
figure in South American politics. Castro and Ven
ezuela have been regarded as almost synonymous.
He has been the practically absolute dictator OF
his country, self-wiled, cruel to an extent and
10 be swerved from decision
President Castro has only such in his Cab
met as he can control in every matter of state.
When one of his secretaries evinces spirit of in
stand that he is non grata in the official house
hold This is why it has happened that the make
EDUARDO Blsaso, Secretary Of State, who resigned
dvser p'G9a0 S oeTed after
Castro said the Pan-American Congress at
to that body's offer to srbitrate the trouble be-
tween Nenezpes end Ihis ms was rePS Ply
Venezuelan delegates resignation.
President castro He IS shreWd and cunning but
he is not diplomatic He has never never travelled ana ma
works quietly Senor Torres Cardenas. his secre-
tary general. who has been with him since he De-
came President, has his entire confidence
incident occurred in General castros so R1Tabte he
rRae trusts even his Cabinet and friends The trip
throush the latter c!ty and up the mountains 10
Caracas. only person was in the official a-s car
and Sp96 fhs last st. seat Ss
IN op he sec car 5oTs h thf m Sse in a party whose
backs were toward him, Those who have knowl-
Presidents VIII recogpze % Ic the Tea 9ea
he waS l constantly ss guarded by ocers Of his army
selected personally by him for that purpose, while
That was a year ago. and at the time there were
II the harb0r three & Geman SeeeeS f6e
that they had come 70 enforce the paymNnt Of the
f 6nntans ne e eW 81 the harbor and the
warships was spread before Castro HIS secretary @
are The President did not answer .i,d He looked s1
said in English as in Spanish, They can't worry
Besides being always escorted by .bodygpard
whether out on horseback or in a carriage. Presi-
aeRt e a Dase4 is o aSS bs ef Side small e caIbre
pearl handled revolver. This he covers UP with a
handkerchief. 1t is his habit to wave this hano-
kerchief in acknowledging greetings, instead OF
salutins removing his hat TWO years ago ID "a
has been said that since then he always hides his
pistol in the handkerchief when he takes II out
But if he does he does it remarkably Well
President Castro has often been accused OF Fo-
lations of the constitution. His election to the
Presidency in October 1901 for six years, was crit
purpose. He has also been charged with illegally
fmplisonng citizens for plotting. Until few Gays
ago. in fact the prisons were nlled with men
charged with political offences. The president has
ordered their release that they might hgnt loE
their country.
some people to say that il showed General Castros
disposition to evade the payment OF his just depts
Some Spanish builhghters visited the Nenezuelan
capital Castro. attended by his Stat went one
Sunday the bull ring. Outside the building stood
some three hundred men and boys, who, because
they had not the price of admission, coud not at
tend the performance President Castro never
loses a chance to enhance his popularity and ne
therefore secured the admission Of the crowd
promising to pay the management the next GAY;
The crowd rushed in. yelling Viva el Presidentet
Next day the bill for admissions TO the oullight
was presented. and promptly repudiated by
Castro. who said the mana cement had merely oons
for the government what would be expected
Of them. That ended the bullhg ghting in Caracas.
President Castro lives In mansion known as
Afirafores. built by the late President Crespo he
is married but has children. His home life is
modest. The executive chamber Is also at Mira
flores. 1t is not easy matter to obtain an audl-
ence with the President He is nervous. irritable
and excitable and Will not give much time 20
visitors. He is also well guarded at home. ttls
career shows that he is coward, but he does not
want to be taken unawares.