The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-17
CIpRIANo cAsTRo.s CAREER.
His Advance to Power Has Been Rap
id-Fears AssassinatiOn.

NEW YORK, Dec. 16.-The Tribune says:
Comparatively little is known in this coun-
try of the personality of President Castro
of Venezuela, who has been so conspicuous
for the last week. In fact, he was hardly
known at Caracas when he became Presi-
dent of Venezuela, three years ago. At that
time he was popular hero because of the
fight he made for the presidency against
Gen. Ignacio Andrade. Since then he has
displayed ability and courage in battles
with the revolutionists.
President Castros father was a ranch
owner in the State of Los Andes. he him.
self was born at Ell Capacho. foriy-seven
years ago. Previous to 1899 General Castro
occupied minor public offices. In that year
he organized an instruction against the
government of President Andrade. At the
start he had only handful of supporters,
all from his native State. Los Andes is in
the Eastern section of Venezuela, and as
the rebels, led by Castro fought their way
westward their number was gradually
augmented until there were several thou
sand or them. They won battle after bat
tie. When the news reached Andrade, at
Caracas. that the insurgent army was ap-
preaching, he fled to La Guayra, there
boarded a gunboat and was taken to
Curacao. Castro then entered the capital
and declared himself provisional President
Physically, President Castro is not so
big a man as reports and pictures would
make him appear. He is five feet two
inches tall, but well built His shoulders
are deep and broad and he walks with
long, military stride.
In Caracas General Castro is regarded as
well-dressed man, but in New York his
clothes would be pronounced too loud"
He generally wears suits of extreme light
cloth, with long coat and the wide, baggy,
llx, 10,
America. President Castro's photogra phs
do him an injustice, for he has a strong
race, every line of which tells of his de-
termination and force. His head is round
and broad. He has a thin, we'll 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
President Castro has been perhaps the
most interesting and prominent figure in
Venezuela nave been regarded 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 decision
President Castro has only such men i'm
his Cabinet as he can control in every mat
ter of state When one of his secretaries
evlnces spirit of independence of thought
he is soon given to understand that he is
non grata In the official household This is
why 1t has happened that the makeup of
Ills SdDlIel ildS Deen cndnSeQ so often. DIR.
Eduardo Blanco, secretary of state. who re-
signed a year ago. was probably the most
able of the Presidents advisers His
resignation occurred after Castro said to
the Pan-American Congress at Mexico City
Mind your own business in answer to
that body's offer to arbitrate the trouble
between Venezuela and Colombia. This
was reply that startled the Congress and
also caused the Venezuelan delegates
resignation.
But bluntness is one Of the character
and cunning. but he is not diplomatic. He
has never Travelled and does not possess an
especially polished manner. He works
quietly. Senior Torres Cardenas his secre-
tary general, who has been with him since
he became President, has his entire conf
dence.
An incident occurred in General Castro's
private railroad car which illustrates lust
how far he trusts even his Cabinet and
friends. The trip was from Macuto. a sea-
side resort close to Laguayra, through the
latter city and up the mountains TO Cara
cas-. Only one person was In the official
car besides the official family CT the Presi-
dent. President Castro entered first and
took the last seat in the car, against the
door. From his seat he could see before
him all those i'm the party, whose backs
were toward him. Those who have knowl-
edge of the sudden end that has befallen
many Latin-American Presidents will rec
OgniZe 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, while
outside. day and night, stood company OF
troops.
That was a year ago. and at the time
there were in the harbor three German
warships-the Vineta, the Stein and the
Fake 1t was believed then that they had
come to enforce the payment of the Ger
man claims. While the special car climbed
up the mountains a fine view of the harbor
and the warships was spread before Castro.
His secretary waved his hand toward them
and said, There they are" The President
did not answer. He looked and simply
smiled. Ii WAS a sneering smile, that said
In English In Spanish. They can't
worry me-.
Besides being always escorted by a body
guard. whether out on horseback or in a
carriage, President Castro Is also armed.
He carries i'm an outside pocket on his left
side small 22-caliber pearl-handled re-
volver. This he covers up with a hand
kerchief IL is his habit TO wave this hand
kerchief in acknowledging greetings. in
stead of saluting or removing his hat Two
years ago a crank attempted the life OF
President Castro. Ii has been said that
since then he always hides his pistol In
the handkerchief when he takes IL out
But II he does he does IL remarkably well.
President Castro has often been accused
OF violations of the Constitution His cleo
fiou a the ..reSideucy N October. 1901 fol