The Washington times., 1903-07-26
VENEZUELA Is A PREY
TO CASTR0'S AMBITION

possible After making a reconnois-
sance. Castro concluded that his oppo-
nents were short of ammunition. His
conjecture proved correct, and he cut his
way out without serious loss. It took
him about two years to overthrow the
Andrade regime and establish himself in
the national capital.
To the westward the country through
which he had advanced was 'paciHed.
Many throats had been cut. and many
towns and villages were converted into
blackened ruins But in the very rich
eastern section of the country affairs
were quite different. Until recently this
section had not felt Castro's heavy hand.
Muster Rolls Not Kept.
Il do not think the battle of Ciudad
Bolivar will end the rebellion. / see
that the dispatches give forty as the
highest number killed in the two days
lighting. No muster rolls are kept how
ever, and exact figures are impossible
II believe the revolution in Venezuela
approaches in destructiveness of life the
three-year war in Colombia. which prac-
tically ended last November. AS a spec
linen OF the ferocity with which the
Colombianos settle their political ac-
counts. I may mention a battle which
took place in the valley of the upper
Magdalena in one of the previous revolu-
tionary upheavals. I had the story d.
who was on the spot In this engage
ment. $1,000 men were engaged. six
thousand of them were defending en-
trenchments against an attacking force
of 5000. There were plenty of bayonet
charges, and hot work with machetes
before the trenches were carried after a
three-days' fight. The killed alone num-
bered $500.
Compared With Blanco.
What Venezuela needs is a strong
man to rule her as Guzman Blanco did
l believe Castro is In many respects
such a man. He is of Indian extraction.
three-quarters white, and has in him
the fighting instinct of the Spaniard and
the Carib, the race which gave the early
invaders of this continent the most
stubborn kind OF a struggle, notwith-
standing their ridiculous inferiority In
the matter of weapons and their lack of
all knowledge of military science. To
be sure, Blaneo made twenty five mil
lions out of his job, and slowed it away
in Paris. But he made It out Of the for
eigners, and they are considered legiti-
mate prey in Venezuela. One of his
most applauded performances was the
manner in which he MIXED the English
and Continental bondholders.
Executed a Coup.
For several years he refused to pay
any interest on the national obligations,
until their value shrunk to almost moth
Ing. When he and his friends had bought
up nearly all of these securities, the ar
rearages Of interest were unexpectedly
paid. and thereafter all interest charges
we're met without default II was looked
upon by the natives as an exceedingly
clever piece of financiering
"one thing Blanco never did was to
convert government funds directly to
his own use. Castro, IL seems, has no
such squeamishness. Then, again, Cas-
tro lacks Blanco's culture, breadth OF
mind. and statesmanship. But he is a
good fighter, and learned his trade serv-
ing with that irreconcilabIe Colombian
revolutionist. Tribe Tribe. And 1 may
saw In passing that Castro himself is a
near Pamplona."