The Savannah morning news., 1903-03-23
CALLED ON CASTRO
no RECONSIDER HIS RESIGNATION
as PRESIDENT.
BELIEVED HE WILL YIELD.
CONGRESS WAS UNANIMOUS IN
HIS FAVOR.

yenezueIa's President Expressed
Himself as Ready TO Devote HIM
self to His Country in the Event
of a War With FOreigners-spOEe
of Foreign Relations and Inter-
nal DissentiOns-He VIII Present
Another Message to Congress.
How Powers View His Action.
Caracas, Venezuela. March 22.-The
Venezuelan Congress. by a unanimous
vote, has declined to accept President
Castro's resignation and has passed
resolution requesting him to recon
sider his decision. 1t Is believed that
President Castro will yield to this ex-
pressed desire of Congress- and remain
in power.
The congressional hall was crowded
yesterday afternoon and all the men,
bers of the diplomatic corps were pres
ent when President Castro read his
message to Congress. President Castro
first passed in review the terrible con-
ditions which prevailed in the coun-
try and denounced the errors of his
countrymen.
But" he continued, 'if it is painful
to consider how much blood has been
shed and how many tears. it is a con-
ISOLATION to think that their bitter
stream, by the law of compensation,
will fecundate something that should
correspond to present day aspirations,
since every struggle begets an idea and
every victorious idea justifies the sup
position that an onward step has been
taken on the road to human perfection.
Our victory, citizen legislators, over
the great adversities which have just
oppressed us must terminate the tu-
mults of our life. otherwise we shall
reach a shameful dissolution"
What He said of the Allies.
Touching then on the question of the
recent foreign Intervention, President
Castro said it had been brought about
by a league of people, who, unable to
submit their claims to the impartiality
of the tribunals, had employed force.
He said that because he. refused to
submit to the Anglo German exactions,
Germans, acting in collision with the
revolutionary general, Matos, endeav-
ored to get rid of him. In confirma-
ton of this statement, President Cas-
tro cited a letter written by the COM
I1lanQeI Oh the OreIIlldh W al snip OtOtShs
President Castro pointed out that the
sovereignty of the nation had been
safeguarded, and said:
Il now deliver my abdication in or
der that you may proceed legally to
call on him who should take my place
so that there may remain not the
slightest cause of hostility to his coun-
try or connivance with foreigners, who
without any ground save force, fell
upon unfortunate Venezuela, tramp
ling under foot reason and Justice to
the detriment of civilization and right
With head uplifted and with tran
quill conscience, l return to the efforts
of toll which honor and dignity. All
the possibilities of my life are at your
service, should it become necessary to
arise and defend our country against
the attacks of the foreigners. All the
glory l ask is to contemplate Vene-
zuela becoming respected, prosperous
and happy"
The president of Congress then re-
ceived President Castro's resignation,
and a commission was appointed i'm
mediately to draw up reply TO the
rendered resignation.
Excitement in Caracas.
The news of the Presidents resigua-
ton created intense excitement In po-
litical circles, but the city remained
quiet.
Later, a night session of Congress
was held and a resolution was adopt
ed, requesting President Castro to re-
consider his resignation in view of the
critical condition of the republic, and
vote of confidence in his policy was
passed unanimously. "A committee was
appointed to transmit this resolution
to the President to-day. In view of
the reasons for the resignation given
in the presidential message, it is be-
lieved in political circles that Presi-
dent Castro will retain the presiden-
tial office.
The delegation appointed by Con-
gress called at noon to-day at the
Presidents residence and transmitted
to Castro the resolution, unanimously
adopted by Congress, refusing to ac-
cept his resignation and requesting him
to reconsider his decision. President
Castro in reply declined to change his
mind, but after being urged by his
personal friends, he offered to present
another message to Congress, which
will meet on Thursday, to suggest a
solution of the situation.
The French warship Troude has lett
La Guayra. Her departure is taken as
indicating that there is no reason to
fear international complications as a
result of President Castro's resigna-
ton.