The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-03-24
ASKED 10 RECONSIDER
CLIMBS TO ACCEPT RE- SIGNATION.
By Unanimous Vote Resident Castro Is Requested to Remain at the
 Helm in Venezuela.

Caracas, Venezuela, March 23.-The Venezuelan Congress by a unanimous vote has declined to accept President Castro's resignation. and has passed a resolution requesting him to reconsider his decision. It is believed the President will yield to this expressed desire of Congress and remain in power.
 The Congressional Hall was crowded yesterday, and all the members of the diplomatic corps were present when President Castro read his message to Congress President Castro first passed in review the terrible conditions which prevailed in the country and denounced the errors of his countrymen.
 But" he continued, If 1t is painful to consider how much blood has been shed and how many tears, 1t Is a con solation to think that their bitter strug- gie by the law of compensation. will fec undate something that should correspond to present day aspirations, since every struggle begets an idea and every vtcto- rious idea justifies the supposition that an onward step has been taken on the road to human perfection. Our victory, citizens, legislators and others. over the great adversities which have just op- prcsed us, must terminate the tumults of our life; otherwise we shall reach shameful dissolution"
 Touching then on the question Of the recent foreign tntervention PresioehI Castro said 1t had been brought about oy a league of people who. unable to sup init their claims to the impartiality or the tribunals, had employed force. and that because he refused to submit to the Anglo-German exacuons, they acting in collusion with the revolutionary general Matos, endeavored to get rid of him. In confirmation of this statement, President Castro cited a letter written by the com mander of the German warship Stosch. President Castro pointed out that the sov- ereignty of the nation had been safe guarded, and said:
 q TOW deliver my abdication in order that you may proceed legally to call on him who should take my place, so that there may remain to no Venezuelan the slightest pretext for hostility to his coun- try, or for connivance with foreigners, who, without any grounds except selfish ness, fell upon Venezuela, trampling un- der foot reason and justice to the detri- ment of civilization and right. With head upligted and with a transquil con- science, I return to the efforts of toll with honor and dignity. All the energies and possibilities of my life are at your service should 1t become necessary to arise and defend our country against the dItdChS Ol tHC IOTciBu0tS. All lHc BlOEy I ask is to compliment Venezuela, become respected, prosperous and happy"
 The President of Congress then re- ceived President Castro's resignation and a commission was immediately appointed to draw up a reply to the rendered res ignation.
 The news of the Presidents resignation created intense excitement in political circles. but the city remained quiet.
 Later a night session of Congress was held. and a resolution was adopted re- questing President Castro to reconsider his resignation. in view of the critical condition of the republic and a vote of confidence in his policy was passed unan- imously.
 A committee was appointed to transmit this resolution to the President today. In view of the reasons for the resignation given in the presidential message, 1t is believed in political crcles that President Castro will retain the presidential office. The delegation appointed by Congress called at noon today at the President s | residence, Mirafiores palace, and trans mitted to President Castro the resolu- tion unanimously adopted by Congress re- fusing to accept his resignation, and re- Questing 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 pre- sent another message to Congress, which will meet on Thursday, to suggest a solu- ton to the situation.
 The French warship Troude has left LaGuayra. Her departure is taken as indicating that there is no reason to fear
 internal complications as a result oi President Castro's resignation.