The Minneapolis journal., 1903-04-28
Venezuela Government Puts Forth a
Document Defining Rights and
Duties of Foreigners.
Decree Is Drastic in Character and
Has Exasperated Greatly All
the Foreign Residents.
Believed That It Will End Effectual
ly All Immigration and the In
PRODUCTION Of Outside Capital.
Correspondence of the Associated Press.

Caracas, April 17.-Following is the text
of the decree just issued by the govern
ment, defining the duties and rights OF
foreigners in Venezuela. AS Will be seen
1t is most drastic IN its character and ex-
cites great evaporation among all Tor
eign residents. It Is believed that 1t will
effectually end all immigration or the In
PRODUCTION Of any foreign capital:
The Congress of the United States of Ven
ezuela: Decree: a...
Article 1.-Foreigners shall enjoy in the
territory of Venezuela the same rights as
Venezuelans, as IS determined by the con-
stitution of the republic.
Article 2.-Foreigners found within the
territory Of United States Of Venezuela
shall be considered either as resident or
in transit
Article 3.-Domiciled foreigners are:
First-Those who have acquired resi-
dence in conformity with the provisions
of the civil code. II
Second-Those who have voluntarily and
| without interruption, resided within the
territory for more than two years, with
out diplomatic character. ,-.....a a' -.-
Third-Those who own real estate with
in the territory Of the republic and, who
have established permanent residence
herein. +. 2~@H> :
Fourth-Those who have been, residing
in the territory of the republic for more
than two years. and who are engaged in
industry, provided they have a house es-
tablshed In a permanent way, even tho
invested with the character of consul.
Article 4.-Foreigners in transit are
such as are found within the territory of
the republic and are not comprised within
the definitions of the preceding article,
Article 5.--Resident foreigners are sub
ject to the same obligations as the Venez-
uelans-both as to their persons as well
as, their properties but they are not sub
ject to military service nor to the pay
ment of forced and extraordinary war
contributions in case of revolution or OF
internal armed warfare.
Article 6-FOreigners domiciled or In
transit must not mix in the political af-
fairs Of the republic nor in anything re-
lating to said political affairs. To this
end they cannot:
Can't Play Politics.
First-Form part Of political socie-
ties.
second-Edit political newspapers or
write about the interior or exterior poll
tics Of the country in any newspaper.
s. Thrd-F'ill public office or employ
ment. z '@. - e..
FourthaeTake arms In the domestic
contentious of the republic. -. Z
Fifth-Del1ver speeches which in any
way relate to the politics of the country.
Article 7-Domiciled foreigners who
Eloldte duy VI TIE pIoVlSloIlS eSIdDuSueu
in article 6, lose their character of for
eigners and become ipso facto, subjected
to the responsibilities, burdens and OBJ
legations which might be occasioned to
natives thru internal political contingent
cies.
Article S-If in contravention Of the ex-
press prohibition of this law any foreigner
exercises any public charge without be-
ing empowered thereto in conformity
with section %. article 81 of the con-
stitution, his acts are null and the per-
son elected and the functionary who
names him are Jointly responsible for the
same.
Expulsion Is Threatened.
Article 9-Foreigners In transit who
violate the provisions of article shall be
Immediately expelled from the territory OF
the republic
Article 1O-The presidents Of the states
the governor of the federal district and
the governors of the federal territories
upon becoming aware that anyone or
more of the domicied foreigners residing
In their respective jurisdictions inter
meddle In the political affairs of the re-
public, shall bring a proper legal action
thru the ordinary tribunals, transmitting
the proceedings In the cases to the fed
erai executive In compliance with the de.
cree to be passed in conformity with tne
dispositions contained In article T.
Article 11-Neither domiciled foreigners
nor those in transit have any right to re-
sort to the diplomatic road, except wher
having exhausted all legal means before
the competent authorities, it clearly ap-
pears that there has been a denial Of JUS
tice or notorious injustice or evident vio-
lation Of the principles of internationa
law.
Must Declare Themselves.
Article 12.-Foreigners already, or to be
hereafter domiciled and those in transit,
who are not invested with diplomatic
character, shall be obliged to make a
declaration before the civil authorities OF
the place in which they may be. that they
submit to the provisions Of the present
laws In their entirety and to those Of the
decree Of the 18th Of February. 1878,
which established the rules for the in
who omit to make this declaration shall
be expelled from the country within a
term to be appointed by the national
executive. t.a.~ -
Article 13-The civil authorities before
whom the declaration should be made
shall use common paper therefor and
shall not make any charge whatsoever
The originals of these documents shall be
transmitted to the minister of the interior
Article 14-The national executive shall
not issue exequateurs for the consular OF
vice consular service to persons who are
engaged In trade. ..f
@ Ban on Societies.
Article 15-The establishment within
the county of any societies of any kind
whatsoever, who do not fix their head
\ quarters or domicile therein. is definitely
prohibited.
Article Foreigners, like Venezuelans
have the right to bring claims against the
nation for indennization for loss dam
age occasioned them in time Of war by
the legally constituted civil or military
authorities, provided always that the lat.
Ig ter were acting in their political charac;
ter; but they shall be able to make these
claims only by the proceedings established
In the interior legislation in purpose o.
proving the loss or damage suffered anc
also their just value.
Article 17--Neither foreigners nor Vene.
zuelans can bring any claim against thu
government of Venezuela for loss or dam.
age occasioned by revolutionary agents o.
armed bands in the service Of anyerevolu
tion, but they shall have the right to In.
stitute personal actions against the au.
tlors of the damage for the loss suffered
Article 18.-The provisions Of this Law
are without prejudice to the agreements
d contained in public treaties.