The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-04-28
1T is DRASTIC.
Decree Issued by the Govern
ment of Venezuela
Excites and Exasperates For
eign Residents.

Caracas, April 2S.-Following is the
text Of the decree just issued by the
government defining the duties and
rights Of foreigners in Venezuela. As
will be seen it is most drastic in its
character and excites great exaspera-
ton among all foreign residents 1t IS
believed that It viii efectually end all
immisratio or the Introduction OF any
foreign capital
The congress of the United States of
Venezuela DEGREES:
Article 1-Foreigners shall enjoy III
the territory of Venezuela the same
rights as Venezuelans. as it determined
by the constitution of the republic
Article 2-Foreisners found within the
territory OF the United States Of Ven
eznela shall be considered either as res
dent or in transit.
Article 2-Domiciled foreigners are.
t--Those who have acquired residence
in conformity with the provisions of tn
civil code
2-Those who have voluntarily, ana
without interruption, resided within the
territory for more than two years.
without diplomatic character.
3-TLose Who own real estate within
the territory of the republic and who
have established permanent residence
herein.
4-Those who have been residing in
the territory Of the republic for more
than two years and who are engaged in
commercial pursuits or any other kind
Of industry, provided they have house
stablished in 0ermanent way. even
though 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
Venezuelans-both as to their persons
as we'll as their properties. but they are
not subject to military service nor to
the payment Of forced and extraordi,
nary war contributions in case of reyo-
luton or OF internal armed warfare.
Article 6-Foreigners domieiled or in
/ transit must not mix in the political
affairs of the republic nor in anything
relating to said political affairs To this
/ end lhe-L can ret.
form a part of political societies.
Edit political newspapers or write
about the interior or exterior politics of
/ the country IN any newspaper.
Fiji public Office or employment
/ 4-Talza arms in the domestic conten-
/ tions of the republic.
/ 5-Deliver speeches which in any way
relate to the politics of the country
Article 7-Domiciled foreigners who
violate any OF the provisions esta blish-
/ ed in article six. lose their character of
/ foreigners and become iDso facto sub
jected to the responsibilities. burdens
and obligations which might be occa-
stoned to natives through intestine po-
litical contingencies.
{ Al0c4H c-LI IN G0lJIdNGn0On OF Inc
express prohibition of this law any for
/ eigner exercises any public charge
without being empowered thereto in
/ conformity with section y, article 81
of the constitution his acts are null and
/ the person elected and the functionary
who names him, are jointly responsible
for the same.
Article 9-Foreigners in transit who
violate the provisions of article shall
be Immediately expelled from the terri
tory of the republic.
Article 1O-The presidents of the state,
the governor of the federal district and
/ the governors of the federal territories
upon becoming aware that any one or
more of the domiciled foreigners resid-
ing in their respective jurisdiction IN
termeddle in the political affairs of the
republic they shall bring a proper legal
action through the ordinary tribunals,
+ transmitting the proceedings in the
I cases to the federal executive in com
pliance with the decree to be passed
+ In conformity with the dispositions con
tanned IN article T.
Article 11-Neither domiciled foreign
ers# nor those in transit have any right
when having exhausted all legal means,
/ before the competent authorities it
4 clearly appears that there has been a
+ denial Of justice or notorious injustice
or evident violation of the principles Of
international law.
Article 12-Foreigners already, or to
! be hereafter domiciled and those in
/ transit who are not invested with a
Diplomatic character shall be obliged to
make a declaration before the civil au-
+ thority of the place in which they may
4 be that they submit to the provisions of
the law in their entirety and those OF
I the decree of the 18th of February.
I 1873 which esta ablished the rules for the
/ determination of foreigners All for
4 eigners who omit to make this declara-
tion shall be expelled from the country
frontinuea an PAGE six.l