Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-25

run into the woods that he sees visions, or
thinks he does, and that he dreams dreams.
His old Indian mother also saw visions and
prophesied, even when her now distinguish
ed son was roaming the forests of Vene-
Zuela clothed In nothing much better than
the tradi .ional fgleaf, that he would rise to
eminence. No man could accomplish what
he has without possessing genuine merit.
for he was born a peon, which Is very
humble class in Venezuela. Castro had his
eyes glued on the presidency some time
previous to the period in which he drove
Andrade from the executive chair. He had
been the latter's, secretary Of war. and he
allowed no opportunity to escape whereby
he might strengthen his position with the
army and the people.
Guzman's Daring and Cunning.
Castro is the last of a long line of virile
men who have welded the destinies of the
republic Of Venezuela. In all respects he
is perhaps not the equal in executive force,
daring and cunning Of Gen. Guzman Blanco,
who for SO many years controlled the at
fairs Of Venezuela. Blanco ruled the coun-
try as If it were his private estate Calling
one day upon the Baron of Rothschild. in
Paris. for the purpose of negotiating loan
for Venezuela, 'Blanao opened negotiations
by remarking thatIthe was much compli-
mented by having an interview with the
head of the riehesI banking house in the
world.
~ 20. e"Af A'oAAA @e AASos AAA'AAA
of you have me in mind returned
Blanco, you are mistaken. I am not SO
rich as representedJ But had 1 all that Is
credited me / wouk stiil be poor In com
parison with yourself and thousands Of
men in this ard other countries
"a But must insist upon the truth Of my
assertion that you ARE the richest man in
ing 100000 square niles of d. territory err Who
else has two millions and half of slaves?'
'Guzman smiled. but said nothing in re-
s .Mana mar py IS. the 1h6ttS ii Venezuela. but
It took q Yankee to get the better Of Blanco,
the dictator, He had kept a certain Amer
lean who, wanted concession long time
on the tehterIhooks, and he was becoming
impatient. Finally he decided to bring mat
tiers to a crisis by securing an appointment
Intermino at the early hour of q a. m.
When the American arrived he found
Banco seated on his porch slipping his cof-
fee and reading the morning paper. Quite
a mob of people was, gathered In front of
the house awaiting the pleasure of the
master to see Them None of them dared to
face the displeasure of the great man by
disturbing him except the American. He
was there to do business on appointment,
and walked undaunted into the presence of
the dictator. and said Good morning, gen.
eral.' Blanco was astounded at his audaci-
ty, but decided to come down from his high
horse. and before the American departed
he had Blanco's name signed to the co1rces-
sion.
No matter whether he occupied the execu-
tive chair or not Blanco was for many
years the real ruler of Venezuela The peo-
pie might go through the form of exercising
the right of suffrage. the congress elect
councils and the councils choose presidents
but under Guzman Blanco's hat nestled the
presidency OF the republic and the destinies
of the people. But for the constitutional
prohibition he might have been perpetual
president Every alternate term he occu-
pied the chair himself. During the interim
he employed substitute, whom he govern
ed while he went abroad with an all-around
carte blanche commission as envoy extraor-
binary and minister plenipotentiary to the
several courts OF Europe and had a good
tine. It's
The Rise Of Crespo
From 1884 to 1886 Banco's substitute was
Gen. Joaquin. Crespo, mixed breed soldier
of Drawn and military ability, and then he
served part Of a term himself But be-
fore his time expired he gave up the reins
the vice president. In July, 1883, Dr. Juan
Pablo Regas. Paul wassinaugurated. Crespo
resisted, but Guzman said Paul was the
man and ordered his election. Crespo pro-
nj ciated, which. is a form of revolution,
and Crespo fed the country to save his
head. His friends continued to plot, and
Crespo returned. only to be overthrow,
imprisoned and again exiled. Later ON he
returned and succeeded. In 1890 Andu.za
Palacio was elected to the presidency ind
served peacefully until 1892, when a ron-
stitutional convention changed the term
from two to four years. Then arose the
contention as to whether the extension APP
piled to the present incumbent Palaci3,
Of course claimed that it did. The supreme
court decided that he was in error. but he
declined to submit. Crespo about this time
bObbed up again and declared a revolution.
and after ahnut q year of bloodshed won
out and proclaimed himself dictator while
Palacio to sase his ahead fled to Paris.
"Crespo. esCastFD, Is a remarkable man.
He was borui Of parents of mixed blood
Spanish and oIndiap-on a ranch, and is q
mulatto in appearance. He entered the
division. ands during the long struggle of
Blanco to obtain power was his ablest ana
most doughtNi lieutenant. Blanco made
Crespo a lieutenant general. and subse-
quently elevated hdp to the rank Of com
mander of the army of the republic. Mrs.
Crespo was Also of Humble origin, of mixed
blood, and a awoman Of strong character
Power Held by Force.
''For seventy five years Venezuela has
been a carnival ofiebnspiracy and rebellion
and from Bo7fvar ID Castro power has been
held by force of=arms. to be overcome
often by force OF arms by some bold and
yenturesome person who could get together
an insurrectionaryj army. Nearly every
man who has been president or has over
turned president, has his portrait in this
collection, all standing as heroes for the
admiration of the people-a group of Wash
ingtons, Benedict Arnolds, Judas Iiscariots
Aaron Burrs. Lincolns. Grants. Davises, Lees.
intermingHng without the slightest regard to
previous association. Guzman was gener-
GUS enough to admit the portrait of q for
mer lieutenant who conspired against him
and was shot for treason.
The Standing Army.
'The stalfdins army is conaposed o. Ave
terry of artillery. Sol men. and one regiment
of cavalry, s25 strong. In addition there n