Delaware gazette and state journal., 1902-12-25
CIPRIlNl @ASTR0'S CAREER

Z -
castro OF w zuela, who has been Sc
conspicuous r the last week.
In fact was hardly known nj
Saracas wh9 he became President OF
venezuela, ree years ago. At that
time ne was popular hero because OF
the nght hqnade for the Presidency
against GeIH lgnacio Andrade. Since
then he has@ @isplayed ability and cour-
age IN battbs With the reYolutionists.
PRESIDENT lastro's father was ranch
owner IN Tn State of Los Andes He
hlmseif wa born at Ell Capacho AZ
years ago. Previous to 1899. Gen. castro
occupied mRnor public Offices. In that
year ne ofganized All insurrection
against thf governments of President
Andrade. Rt the start he had only a
handful OF supporters, all from his
native State. Lus Andes is in the east
ern section OF Venezuela, and as the
rebels, led by Castro fought their w.ay
westward their number was gradually
augmented until there were several
thousand Of them. They won battle
after battle When the news reached
Andrade, at Ga racas, that the insur-
gent army was approaching, he Had to
La Guayra, there bearded gunboat
and was taken to Curacao. Castro then
entered the capital and declared him
self provisional President.
Physically, President Castro is not
SO big a man as reports and pictures
would make him appear. He is s feat
2 inches tall, but we'll built, His
shoulders are deep and broad, and he
walks with long, military stride.
In Caracas, Gen. Castro is regarded
as we'll dressed man, but in New
York his clothes would be pronounced
too loud lie generally wears suits
of extremely light cloth. with long
coat and the wide, baggy, shapeless
trousers generally worn in South
America. President Castro S photo
graphs do him an injustice, for he has
strong face, every line of which tells
OF his determination and force. His
bead is round and broad. He has a
thin, weil-shaped nose, and through
his beard one can see a square chin.
His eyes are perhaps his strongest
feature. They are dark brown, OF great
brightness and piercing. Ever since his
assumption of power in Venezuela Pre-
sident Castro has been, perhaps,
the most interesting and prominent
figure in South American politics.
Castro and Venezuela have been re-
garded as almost synonymous. He has
been the practically absolute dictator
OF his country, self-willed, cruel to an
extent, and not to be swerVed from a
decision.
President Castro has only such men
IN his cabinet as he can control in
every matter Of State. When one Of
his secretaries evinces spirit of indie
pendence OF thought he is soon given
60 understand that he is non grata in
the ofiicial household. This is why it
mas happened that the makeup of his
cabinet has been changed 80 often. DIR.
Eduardo Bianoo. Secretary of State.
who resigned year age, was probably
the most able of the Presidents adj.
visers. His resignation occurred after
Castro said to the Pan-A merican Com
gress at Mexico City, "Mind your own
business" in answer to that body,s
offer to arDitrste the trouble between
Venezuels and Colombia. This was a
reply that startled the Congress and
also caused the Venezuelan delegates
resignation.
But blnntness is one of the char
acteristics Of President Castro. He is
shrewd and cunning, but ne is moi
diplomatic. He has never travelled and
NNOSS
manner He works quietly. Senior
Torres Cardenas, his Secretary General, |
who has been with him since he be- |
came President, has his entire conf |
denoe.
An incident occurred in Cen. Castro's |
private railroad car which illustrates |
Just now far he trusts even his cabinet |
and friends. The trip was from Maouto,
nj -.
through the latter city and up the |
to Caracas. Only one person |
vas in the official car besides the
official family of the President. Presi-
dent Castro entered first and took the
last seat in the car against the door.
From his seat he could see before him
all those in tine party, whose backs
we're toward him. Those who have
knowledge OF the sudden end that has
befallen many Latin-A merioan Presi.
dents will recognize the reason for
this action. AT the hotel in Macuto.
too, he was constantly guarded by
officers OF his army, selected personally
by him for that purpose, whila outside,
1ay and night stood a company OF
troops.
That was year ago, and at the time
there were in the hsrbor three German
Vineta, the Stein and
the Fake. 1T was believed then that
they had come to enforce the payment
of the German claims. While the
special car climbed up the mountains
, tine view OF the harbor and the war
ships wGs spread before Castro. His
secretary waved his hand toward them
md said, There they are.'' The
PRESIDENT did not answer. He looked
md simply smiled. 1t was a sneerino
imile, that said in English as in
Spanish, '.They can't worry me. +"
Besides being always escorted by
,odyguard, whether out on horseback
,r in carriage, President Castro ia
Ilso armed. He earreis in an outside
pocket on his left side small 80
ialibre, pearl handled revolver. This
le covers up with handkerchief. Ii is
lis habit to wave this handkerchief in
acknowledging greetings, instead of
aiuting or removing his hat. Two
ears ago crank attempted the life of
resident Castro. 1t has been said
hat since then he always hides his
'istol in the handkerchief when he
axes it out. But if he does, he does it
emarkabiy we'll
President Castro has often been ac.
used of violations of the Constitution. !.
lis election to the Presidency in Octo.
ler, 1901 for six years, was criticised.
he Constitution had to be changed for
he purpose. Hs has also been charged
'ith illegally imprisoning citizens for
iotting. Until a few days ago, in fact,
he prisons were filled with men !.
harged With political offences. Tho
resident has ordered their release,
hat they might fight for their country.
An incident in Caracas about a year .
go caused some nennla To saw that it