Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-27
President Castro Is Look
ing for Trouble.
Tries to Enlist Aid of Other
Republics.
Uncle Sam to Send an Imposing Naval
Display to Venezuela.

HleHl oulcldlS duliit.eI saturday, un-
officially. that President Castro, of
Venezuela. is to be given '.spanking."
which is the diplomatic term used in
connection with the affair." and that a
program already has been mapped out
as was exclusively stated in The World
Saturday morning.
The imposing naval demonstration
which will be made as soon as the
necessary warships can be spared from
the manOeuvres in the Caribbean is
accounted for on two grounds. One is
that it is desired to teach a lesson not
only to Venezuela, but to all the little
republics to the south which are inclin-
ed to repudiate their debts and out
rage foreigners. Therefore the big
stick is to be swung vigorously
Another reason for sending a large
squadron to Venezuela is the probabil;-
ty that serious resistance will be made
by Castro, and the possibility that the
resistance to American interference
may extend beyond Venezuela. Castro
understands that the big stick is be-
ing prepared for him. and it is reported
that h" is trying to enlist the sympathy
ana active support OF Nenezuela's
neighbours
So far his appeals to present g united
front to the american peril" as he
terms it. have me: with no encourage
ment. except in Colarbia. To guard
against any surprise, however. Ameri-
ran consulS throughout Central AMI
South America have been instructed To
report to the State department the size
and strength of the navies of the coun-
tries to which they are accredited.
Enough warships will be sent to VEN
eZuela. or kept within call to overcome
this combined force.
II is believed that the resistance will
be confined to Nenezuala, with possibly
some aid from Colomb ia IT is not ex-
pocted that Castro will abandon his Of
fensive methods and conform to Ameri
can ideas Of government without a fight
of some kind. State department officials
famlliar with his way of doing things
think he will want to make it appear
mat he was overwhelmed and pose as
Il martyr.
1t is no secret that the state depart
ment will not be satisfied until Castro
has been disposed. Sec Hay does not
care who takes his place so long as he
is man of progressive ideas. His sue
cessor must be acceptable to this coun-
try and he will be given the support of
the administration in maintaining Or
der, as has been done in the case of
Pres. Morales of Santo Domingo.
one reason which has actuated the
President in reaching final determin-
alton to bring Venezuela custom
houses from falling into the hands of
Europeans. The peace protocols pro-
vide that in default of payment of the
monthly amounts. or in the event of
any evasion, the Venezuelan customs
shall be administered by Belgium until
the entire foreign debt has been paid.
Castro is trying to evade his agree
ment with the allied powers by estab-
fishing new ports to take the places of
Puerto Cahello and La Guayra. thus
reducing the percentage of the GUS
toms deceipts pledged to the payment
of the foreign debt. Proof of this fact,
which soon will be available. would
permit Belgium to seize the custom
houses, which would be retained for II
years or more. This is what the Pres
ident is anxious to avoid.
1t also is prOboble that this country
soon will take an active hand in adj
ministering the affairs of SantO Do
mingo, though the interference there
would be of friendly nature and
would be welcomed v an influential ell
ement of the popula ton. The ar
rangement contemplated is the APP
pOintment of an American fiscal agent
to have charge of the collection of GUS
toms at all the ports of the island. and
make the payments promised, but not
fulfilled on the foreign debt. turning
over the balance to the government.
This would compel a more economical
form of government, in framing which
President Morales would have the adj
vice of the state department. There is
no disposition to depose Morales. He
was firmly established in the Presi-
dcncy with the aid of American war
ships. which were used as a club over
the insurgents and he seems to be try
ing to keep faith with President Roose-
welt The trouble is that the expenses
of the government are enormous. and
without American support and inter-
vention he cannot reduce them mate
rally without starting another revolu-
ton among the hundreds of generals
and their followers, who would be cut
off the payroll
DIED FROM NosEsLEED.